David Gerard wrote:
2008/6/12 Waerth <waerth(a)asianet.co.th>th>:
IMHO, if they do not give proper attribution and
do not respond (which
doesn't surprise me as I said earlier) and we do not have the resources
to do a lawsuit. There is only one way out. Make a stink about it and
make them loose face. In my experience here in Thailand this is a last
resort option here in this part of Asia. But most people here in this
region are more terrified to loose their face than anything else. If
they feel that they will loose face over an issue they will most
probably come and talk to get things straightened out. If not and we
make them loose face though, they will surely never talk to us again!
Like I said it would be a last resort and I have used this option myself
a couple of times with amazing results.
IIRC Florence tried this at Wikimania 2007 and it didn't do anything.
Then they weren't impressed enough with the face loosing potential. It
isn't an easy thing. It must be done in such a way that you are the
honorable party (and no not western honor, Asian/Chinese honor). And it
must make you look smart and subtle (so absolutely not a lot of talking
and compromising). And it must offer them a way out in which they can
gain face to the public at large. So that even though they take a step
back, publicly it will appear that they have gained. Very common thing
in politics here. And what also helps is if you can offer them a
scapegoat on whom to put all of the blame.
It is something that needs some thinking through. It must offer all what
I said above. But you must also understand that if they call your bluff
you will have to play it hardball. If you back away then, you will never
be taken seriously in at least China (and probably most of East Asia)
anymore. If you play hardball they will most surely never ever talk with
you again. But other parties in this part of the world will not try to
call your bluff and will compromise if they are approached for a violation.
Most Western businessmen fail in this part of the world because they try
the Western approach here. If you negotiate in this part of the world.
adopt their tactics and use it against them. It will make you succeed
and you will gain lots of respect (not spoken out loudly though).
I am unsuccesfull myself many times because even though I have learned
the rules over the years I am a softy. In many cases I do not stand firm
enough. Though I am getting harder and because of that getting more
respect.
Waerth