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FunAdvice/MyYearBook acquisition emails (TechCrunch BCC'ed)

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Re: FunAdvice/MyYearBook acquisition emails (TechCrunch BCC'ed)

#12

Post by simonk »

mixmax wrote: post #3

So Michael Arrington was cc'ed on a sensitive acquisition e-mail where, presumably, only one of the parties has agreed that the information should be public. And not even explicitly so. And he chooses to publish it directly on Techcrunch.... That's despicable, and not exactly good for his reputation.

Arrington's a member of the press that was sent a email saying "thought techcrunch might find this interesting" what do you think he was going to do with it?

Re: FunAdvice/MyYearBook acquisition emails (TechCrunch BCC'ed)

#14

Post by nir »

mixmax wrote: post #3

So Michael Arrington was cc'ed on a sensitive acquisition e-mail where, presumably, only one of the parties has agreed that the information should be public. And not even explicitly so. And he chooses to publish it directly on Techcrunch.... That's despicable, and not exactly good for his reputation.

In this case it seems Goodrich is the one to damage his reputation. Copying the press on this doesn't show much class and doing it as BCC is simply dishonest.

Of course, with another journalist (or a journalist) it might have ended there. With TC it ends up published.

Re: FunAdvice/MyYearBook acquisition emails (TechCrunch BCC'ed)

#15

Post by coopr »

mixmax wrote: post #3

So Michael Arrington was cc'ed on a sensitive acquisition e-mail where, presumably, only one of the parties has agreed that the information should be public. And not even explicitly so. And he chooses to publish it directly on Techcrunch.... That's despicable, and not exactly good for his reputation.

So I'm wondering about those stupid legalese footers on some emails that say something to the effect of "if you weren't the intended recipient, delete this email and pretend you haven't already read it" - would that have helped in this case? Or, if the email had that footer, and Arrington published it, would that open him to legal liability? Or, are those footers just a total waste of space and time? Any lawyers in the house?

Re: FunAdvice/MyYearBook acquisition emails (TechCrunch BCC'ed)

#16

Post by alain94040 »

coopr wrote: post #15
mixmax wrote: post #3

So Michael Arrington was cc'ed on a sensitive acquisition e-mail where, presumably, only one of the parties has agreed that the information should be public. And not even explicitly so. And he chooses to publish it directly on Techcrunch.... That's despicable, and not exactly good for his reputation.

So I'm wondering about those stupid legalese footers on some emails that say something to the effect of "if you weren't the intended recipient, delete this email and pretend you haven't already read it" - would that have helped in this case? Or, if the email had that footer, and Arrington published it, would that open him to legal liability? Or, are those footers just a total waste of space and time? Any lawyers in t…

They are non-binding.

You know all these documents marked confidential that people give me. Unless I previously signed an NDA that says I will respect the confidentiality of such documents, it's just wishful thinking on your part.

Re: FunAdvice/MyYearBook acquisition emails (TechCrunch BCC'ed)

#17

Post by alain94040 »

Also, the offer was super-cheap: Acquire a site with 1M uniques per month for $125K in cash (plus the same amount in highly volatile stock).

That's barely a 6 months of salary for the founder. Frankly, it's insulting. Even YC offers you a better valuation, and that's before you have any traffic :-)

Re: FunAdvice/MyYearBook acquisition emails (TechCrunch BCC'ed)

#18

Post by anuraggoel »

mixmax wrote: post #3

So Michael Arrington was cc'ed on a sensitive acquisition e-mail where, presumably, only one of the parties has agreed that the information should be public. And not even explicitly so. And he chooses to publish it directly on Techcrunch.... That's despicable, and not exactly good for his reputation.

> presumably, only one of the parties has agreed that the information should be public.

Sending an email like this to Arrington and telling him he might find it 'interesting' amounts to saying 'print this'. Further, all involved parties in a story do not have to agree before it's published. If an employee is harassed by her manager, does the NYT seek the manager's permission before publishing the story? I have indulged in TC-bashing on several previous occasions, but I don't think expecting Arrington to keep this stuff confidential is reasonable under the circumstances. If anyone's to blame, it's Goodrich.

And as far as Arrington's reputation is concerned, I don't think it's going to take a hit - he's a 'journalist' and he has to make a living =) It might actually save him some trouble because now people are going to think twice before sending him 'interesting' crap.

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