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We routinely get legal threats to remove content from our forums and, most of the time, we don't. You never hear about those times because there's no note left in the forums. When we're legally compelled to remove something at advice of our legal team, we do and leave a note.
Now that we've received a "friendly reminder" from Wal-Mart weeks ago, and a cease and desist from Office Max, we thought it'd be only fair to share their messages with you, and actions taken.
Image #1 from Office Max. We removed the ad scan only.
Image #2 from Wal-Mart. We removed ad scans and links to images only. Wal-Mart Update: Their rep called and asked us to post their black friday info.
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Message edited by: footn200 on 2009-11-18 13:03:15 CST
So, is OM admitting the ad was false and wanted the ad removed because viewers would be highly disappointed with the real ad? And to think, I was actually considering shopping at OM because of the ad. I guess I'll take my business elsewhere.
I'm a little bit surprised at their reaction. Even if the sale prices were incorrect (which I doubt they were), OM would still benefit from FatWalleters rushing into the store in search of a particular deal. I fail to see how this could be "confidential information". This is not top CIA facts, we're talking about frigging sale prices. OM is being short-sighted here. The management must not be bright enough to realize that having tons of Fatwalleters looking at your ads and talking about your products thereby creating an interest (where there was none before) is clearly something to be desired. You can't buy that kind of advertisments, especially since it is free. After reading this, I have a bad taste in my mouth and don't feel very inclinded to shop at Office Max anymore. Just my 2 cents worth...
How can someone be guilty of disclosing false information, as OM claims? Either someone is guilty of disclosing true information or someone is guilty of providing false information.
Message edited by: BradMajors on 2009-10-31 20:56:44 CDT
I'm sure this is well known but I think the main reason they try to protect their black Friday sales are to prevent competition from changing their sales to meet or beat them. Technically, if it's true that it's not legal for an fatwallet to create unfair competition like the threat says than I don't know. I guess fatwallet would run the risk of a lawsuit or something. I really doubt there are specific laws protecting corporations from early distributions of their sales though... In my opinion it's Office Max's responsibility to hire more reliable employees and tighter security or the advertising/printing company would be the ones held responsible.
GOE123 ...... this might be more for you ... but if they ever knew about a "leaked" black friday ad and did nothing the may lose any future suit(S) because they come in with "un-clean hands." I am not a lawyer and i didnt even stay at a Holiday Inn express last night.
I dont get it. Letting us know ahead of time helps us prepare what to buy from these stores. There is absolutely no advantage to the stores to withhold the ads. They are just being cry babies.
Me too. Thanks, OM for being ridiculous. Sort of like the time the Church of Scientology started suing websites years ago, ending up with a lot of angry "netzins"
1. They want people to PLAN to visit their store on BF. Advanced promotion of the deal allows more time to plan, and possible avoid their "deals". 2. Competition is fierce on BF. Offering the competition weeks (or in this case more than 1 month) notice allows them to respond, and possibly pressure distributors to offer similar deals. 3. Employees, advertising vendors sign secrecy agreements. Identifying (and pluging) the leak is a BIG DEAL - will likely result in terminations and possible legal action.
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