Re: Kansas firm sells candid Wal-Mart videos

[Don Greening] "What they WILL remember is that a video production house tried, unsuccessfully or not, to screw over one of their clients. The corporations will now make sure that from this time forward all future dealings with "those types" better come with an iron clad agreement because after all, video people can't be trusted. One rotten apple..."

A more probable outcome will be that most all video production for major or even mid- to large-sized corporations will go in-house, with all rights automatically retained by the company.

Another probable outcome will be that many companies will quit using smaller shops and will use agencies that have long track records of knowing where the lines are drawn and why things must be kept confidential, etc.

The "grown-ups" play like grown-ups and know that even implied covenants are there, exist, and need to be honored.

Some people want to treat business like a walk along a cliff with them seeing how close to the edge they can get without falling over and getting hurt. Me, I'd rather understand that when I work with a client, I am there as a part of their team and my duty is to to do the absolute best I can under the circumstances. I am not there to think in terms of: "Ah, did they cross every legal 't' and dot every legal 'i' -- if not, then 'ah, ha!' I have them by the groin!"

That is an insane way to do business.

Like you, Don, I think that this episode is going to have far farther reaching affect than some want to believe. As you postulate, humans forget the facts but the feelings have a way of embedding themselves in the sub-conscious. In the end, the erosion of trust and the lack of respect for people's rights are far more serious issues than what the letter of the law may say -- especially in a world where contracts seem to be made to be broken.

But hey, call me old fashioned. I once had a girlfriend who called me "...a 19th century moralist living in the 20th century." In response I said, "thanks." Today I have moved on to being a 19th century moralist living in the 21st century. Now that's progress, baby!

Ron Lindeboom