Herb,
The only person (and I mean ONLY) you have to satisfy is the guy looking back at you in the mirror…
I would make sure that there’s some kind of clause to protect myself if they go belly up, or they sellout to another company.
I’d also have to think about how much I’d miss doing the things that they want to put limitations on.
Either way you go, don’t ever let it stop you from surfing.
…will they let you surf , whenever the waves are cranking ?
I spent all weekend trying to come up with a short answer to your why? post and I see this post and say crud!
You don’t know me - nor I you (or anyone else) really. You post great stuff - are very helpfull to those who ask - and I shall be sorry to see you go off of the net. That being said, like most of the others have said - make the man in the mirror happy. Some of the people here may know that man (redux - I don’t) but you know em the best.
Take the legal advice for sure and go for it - “you can’t steal second with your foot on first base” (title of a book I think).
Landloked
fff
Why?
Herb,
If your family needs or even wants the money, take it. Yours will be the only off shore pop-put I’ll ever buy. Mike
Herb, Years ago when I was about to go into business for myself, I asked a good friend who already had been in the business for many years, if he had any advice for me. The first words out of his mouth were, “Get a good lawyer.”
The lawyer is the guy who isn’t creative like you, but he knows what you don’t know about the people who you will be working with.
You have something someone else wants. They plan to use you to make money. (It’s just business). Protect yourself and use them to make your own money. It’s a two way street. Nothing wrong with making money. Good luck, and have lots of success. Doug
I’ll be going over an introduction later this week.We will see what we will see…after that ???
Herb, I wish you the best of luck. The only thing i can do is ask,
-
Do they want your name or your designs? If you come up with something new that works better than the model they sell will they use it or push it to the side for sales?
-
Will the outcome of the contract make you happy? That is all that matters. Would you be happier here on sways and personally making something you love or working for them?
Money is Important. Always take care of yourself and your family no matter what. In the end this is your decision, no one elses, but what do I know Im just another poor sways troll.–Kevin
does the $$$ out way the time, or the way, out time the $$$$ ???
whatever…
Quote:
Here goes.........something ?Last week,I was approached by a large pop-out surfboard mfg…The company is based here in the USA and the surfys are built offshore.
This…company,asked if I would like to have several of my designs/models made by their company in exchange for $$$$$$$$.
The agreement would of course be put down in writing and noted before it became binding…but all the legals aside.
In this verbal exchange of words the company asked 1) I would only make surfboards on a very limited basis(12 a year),that’s easy enough !! 2)Terminate all or any activities on the internet dealing w/ surfing/surfboards and the construction of said items,eg. Swaylocks,Harbour,Surfline,etc. .The only media or interaction that involved these activites will be handed down to me from corp…Now this didnot include lurking,infact,they encouraged that 100%, as long as I didnot interact.
…it gets better…
The company in return for my loyalty,will compensate me for my actions or lack of them by blitzing and glitzing me and my designs , in ads/articles/motion media and Television.Being a former professional actor this fits right in there pockets.Throw in a few top up and coming pros on my boards… blitz it …and BOOM !!! you got bank,baby $$$$$$$$$$$$$
This is no light wt. deal…here,they plan on going red for up to three years before turning it around into $$$$$$$$$ with enough capitol to seemingly kill off the rest of the surfboard industry …so the picture was painted to me.
I will also supply them w/ current info. as to the whats and wheres as I find and / or receive them.
…Actually, it’s kind of fitting for someone who uses a cattledog for his logo…
…Just another dog ?..
…or a dog day afternoon ? …
You tell me…is it selling out ?
…What would you do if this was you ?
I do not believe one word of this… You need help.
bluenote,
Me thinks you may be opening yourself up to some criticism here…
Jealous…?
Pete
Ditto the posts that tell you to do what you need to do to take care of yourself and your family. It might in some sense be “hush money”, but it isn’t as if your silence will be abetting murder, torture, or other high crimes. Also ditto the “get a good lawyer” advice with the caveat that you need to do some research to make certain the lawyer knows what he is doing. Apparently the incompetence plague that has infested our culture has not left the ranks of shysters unscathed. A friend and business associate is in the application phase for several software patents. He went out and got himself a lawyer who advertised, and had some references, as an IP specialist. After burning several hours on the billable clock, he asked the IP lawyer a question about the DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act). Said IP attorney had never heard of it…
-Samiam
Frankly Blonut,
…People like you make my choices easier.
Ignore the naysayers Herb.
Make sure you know exactly what you are getting into (is it your name? shapes? time? all of those? they are after?).
Make sure you get a decent lawyer to check it all out if you want to go ahead with it.
And make sure they leave you plenty of scope to shape boards for yourself and to surf.
FWIW if all the above works out for you I’ll be jealous as hell… Gongrats.
Just my 2c.
I was told sometime ago by a friend,a graduate of Harvard law ,and went on to become a Dr.of law that :
There are no GOOD lawyers…
…Just Successful ones !
I just hope it all works out for you.You have alot to offer.Make the best of it.
Already been said.Follow your heart,but don’t ignore your gut feelings.
Either way,we ever gonna see the Predator 2 fish? 
LOL!
As you (and everyone else on here) knows, I meant good as in good at what they do
Used to have a buddy who was a supreme court criminal lawyer.
Endless supply of lawyer jokes there 
[indent]A biker walks into a yuppie bar and shouts, “All lawyers are arseholes!”
He looks around, obviously hoping for a challenge.
Finally a guy comes up to him, taps him on the shoulder, and says, “Take that back!”
The biker says, “Why? Are you a lawyer?”
The other guy replies, “No, I’m an arsehole!”
[/indent]
The Devil starts to fix up hell one day,air conditioning,cleaning up rivers,and oceans,gives out tvs and other luxury items…
…God sees this going on and calls down to the devil and asks,“Hey Devil what the hell do you think you’re doing?” …
…The devil replies,“Making it more comfortable around here for us heaven outcasts.”
…God YELLS,"YOU CAN’T DO THAT…i’ll,i’ll …SUE YOU !!!
…The Devil laughs and says," Oh ya, and where in Heaven are you going to find a Lawyer ?
Got some good film for my cam,I’ll cut some more shots tomorrow,just on your request,thanks for thinking about her…shes young but dying quick…I believe.