Kansas firm sells candid Wal-Mart videos

[Jim Hyde]

Interesting, well thought out post, Mark.

[Bill Dewald]

[Ron Lindeboom] “Me, I think that is not only bad advice but idiotic advice and I don’t mind saying so.”

Oh, I’ll agree with your assesment, Ron,(honesty being paramount) – it’s a no-brainer, really…

I think that people will see this as a freak story about some guy cheating to get rich, rather than indicative of how the corporate video industry works…

[Jim Hyde]

I like how you softened the blow of your wording in the original post to me. Nice.

Again as Mark said, the guy had nothing left to lose, I really don’t think he cares about his credibility at this point and nor should he.

[Ron Lindeboom]

[Jim Hyde] “I really don’t think he cares about his credibility at this point and nor should he.”

Nor should he???

Wow. I am speechless at these words — almost. ;o)

In the end, all you are is your word and your reputation. It will follow or precede you everywhere and what you make of yourself, or don’t, is based on that. It is called “character” and is far more valuable a commodity in business than your talent. I have seen plenty of talented losers who can’t scratch two nickels/schillings together because their words and trustworthiness are valueless.

Talent alone won’t make you a success in business.

Ron Lindeboom

[Jim Hyde]

Yes but when you have a ticket to financial freedom like this guy (arguably, since he has not taken up wal-marts buyout offer) who cares about business or what anyone thinks of you. Being in his position it seems like a good time to retire.

[Grinner Hester]

I find it interesting how many true creeps are truely stupid.
Go toe to tow with a power house? It’s one thing to ensure no future business with an ex-client but this wreaks of angry ex-wife and a boat load of debt a year from now.

[Mark Suszko]

How many business relationships are like marriages and, by extension, sometimes like divorces?

(There’s also a dirty joke hidden in that setup somewhere, but I’m trying to keep the standards high:-)

[Ron Lindeboom]

You can’t be more than about 18. Early twenties at the oldest. Right?

I say this because only a kid would think that this guy has any power whatsoever in this situation. What he really has is a guarantee of being buried under tons of legal depositions and machinations which he will have to respond to and answer one by one. It will take no effort at all to bury both him and any lawyer who takes this case on behalf of Flagler.

The case can be made as to the fact that in 30 years, Flagler never violated the trust of the client’s right to ownership of their own recordings. In many courts of law, there is both “Color of Law” and “Implied Contracts” that can and do both influence law and determine legal outcomes. I wouldn’t want to be holding the tiger by the tail that he has just unleashed.

There is also an argument that could easily be made for proving trade custom in this case. Then there are other tacts that could be used with the courts to tie this guy up in chains and handcuffs and keep him so busy that his eyes will damned near burst under the pressure and onslaught of it all. And justifiably so. Couldn’t happen to a more deserving soul in my opinion.

I am willing to state unequivocally that the one thing this guy may have thought he’d get out of it was retirement but that what he’s actually going to get out of it is absolute and total ruination on many levels. This guy will find out this this is no cakewalk on Easy Street and that this road to retirement is fraught with one landmine after another. I will be surprised as hell if he “keeps either of his feet” in it all.

Lastly, he won’t be invited to join the host team of this forum — and I know that will break his heart — but perhaps you can open a site and build a forum wherein both you and he can offer advice to the unsuspecting and unwary.

Ron Lindeboom

[Don Greening]

[Mark Suszko] “How many business relationships are like marriages and, by extension, sometimes like divorces? “

Are you looking for the word “messy”?

[Mark Suszko] “(There’s also a dirty joke hidden in that setup somewhere, but I’m trying to keep the standards high:-)”

And don’t think for a moment that everyone here doesn’t appreciate that, Mark 🙂

– Don

[Ron Lindeboom]

[Mark Suszko] “…they forgot who actually owned the footage. He owns it, and it has value. The only real issue from a legal standpoint is how much he can get for it and from whom.”

This is an assumption that may or may not hold up in court. There are many precedents and legal barbs on which Mr. Flagler’s claims could be impaled.

Me, I think it is far from assured that he owns this footage.

I will guarantee that the Wal-Mart lawyers will be sifting through every document, contract and anything else that is related to this — documents that none of us are now privy to.

There are also many things that can be argued in the name of “trade custom and tradition” when videotaping corporate board meetings. There are also arguments and implied covenants, etc., that I believe will find a court likely unwilling to castrate a major corporation’s right to expected privacy of its board meetings, etc.

I don’t believe for a minute that this is a clear case of ownership by the one holding the camera. But the courts will decide that and when there are armies of lawyers involved, it be be a while before it all becomes crystal clear.

Best regards,

Ron Lindeboom