[Foundation-l] Baidupedia copyvio collections

[Waerth]

David Gerard wrote:
> 2008/6/12 Waerth <waerth at asianet.co.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