Given the commentary to date and the lack of response from tas-man, the following statement would appear to be the most accurate: “ tas-man / LWC posted information that Mountain Designs was selling tickets for the DYKT show prior to checking through the correct channels and used Mountain Designs’ logo and association for its advantage without formal approval”. (I contacted tas-man this afternoon and asked him if he wished to clarify any further since my last post, giving him a fair chance of reply.)
This being the case, tas-man and/or LWC (noting tas-man had until last year been an office bearer of the club for sixteen years and has been a life member of the club for five years):
-used the logo and association with Mountain Designs to promote the DYKT show (a substantial source of funds for the club) without their approval;
-then related an incorrect version of events to cover for the fact that it was indeed tas-man/LWC who had stuffed up;
-allowed Mountain Designs (MD) to be misrepresented, criticised and threatened with boycott by not clarifying the position, when there was ample opportunity to do so
MD now has a different policy to what its franchisees previously had, in not promoting the activities of an independent and non-related organisation. It is not incumbent on MD (or any other outdoor store) to promote or sponsor such activities, whether it is perceived to be beneficial or not.
MD did nothing ethically or legally wrong. The actions of tas-man (misrepresentation of the truth, knowingly letting others be maligned because of this, and use of others intellectual/commercial property without permission) is unprofessional and unethical at best.
Tas-man / LWC are in no position to plead ignorance in such matters, as this in not the first time (or even the second time) this type of behaviour has occurred. Several members of the club executive were informed of this on more than one occasion after the use of unauthorised/copyrighted material for the DYKT show and club promotional material in 2011. When this was brought to the club's attention in 2011, the owner/subject of the material was treated in a strikingly similar fashion to the treatment of MD in this case. Tawdry and demeaning treatment of innocent parties is no way to cover for one’s own mistakes.
Some may feel this is unfair on the Launceston walking club. However, it is worth considering that the LWC has one of the fattest balance sheets of any such club in Australia. The lion’s share of the proceeds from the DYKT show (which amounts to many tens of thousands of dollars over the years) are poured into the club’s 23 seat bus.
While, at its core, the DYKT show may ostensibly be for the conservation and appreciation of wild places, the actions which go on “behind the scenes” have not always proven to be nearly so noble.
If tas-man is able to set the record straight on any of the above, I am more than happy to retract any incorrect statements I may have made.
Clarence