Something for Nothing

Have you read the headline about a 23-year-old ranch owner that just won a $232 million lottery jackpot? I must say, it makes me feel like I’m missing out by not playing. You can’t win if you don’t play, after all. It also makes me think that if it could happen to him, it could happen to me!

Everyone seems to like the idea of getting something for nothing — or almost nothing. What about when it comes to our business dealings?

We’ve all heard stories about ideas, writings, and inventions being stolen by unscrupulous corporate types. Fear of that type of dishonesty keeps some inventors from attempting to market their innovations. “If the big guys get a hold of my idea, all my efforts will be in vain,” they fear. “They’ll just throw a lot of money at it, get it to market, and I’ll get nothing.” And, unfortunately, there are many examples to substantiate their fear. One involving Apple’s Ipod comes to mind. And then there was the agency that worked to get The Simpson’s movie account.

Most of the cases we hear about are settled out of court for undisclosed amounts of money. That is, IF the idea generator had enough of a legal fund to take the big guy to court.

Whether or not you’re one of the big guys, chances are you will employ the efforts of a designer, advertising copy writer, consultant, or even an advertising agency at some point. Keep in mind that intellectual property is just that — property! If someone shows you an example of what they can do for you in an effort to win your business, that logo design, tagline, print advertisement, etc. is only yours to use once you’ve paid for it.

Let’s deal with each other ethically. The courts have enough to do!