Business ethics: Turning a homeless man into a trademark (sued, profit, company)

[GreenMachine]

This story upset me a lot.

I've lived in Los Angeles for a number of years. My last apartment was in Beverly Hills just a few blocks away from the popular Roberston Blvd, where you find a lot of upscales stores and restaurants, including the Ivy. On the street of Roberston Blvd. lives a homeless man. He is mentally ill, and spends his days listening to music and dancing while watching his reflection in a storefront window. At night he sleeps in the alley. They call him Roberston, and he has been there for as many years as I can remember. He is shy, and quiet, and keeps to himself. I never spoke to him, and always walked around him. He avoided people and eye contact for the most part. He was crazy, yes, but vulnerable too, like a child.

Most people left him alone. But now some young aspiring business men have decided to trademark him as "Crazy Robertson" and use photos of him in their clothing line. I was quiet shocked when I saw a picture of Robertson on Yahoo, which linked to this article in the Wall Street Journal:

In West L.A., A Homeless Man Inspires New Brand - WSJ.com

[aaauger]

Possible ways to counter:
1. Get guardianship and sue.
2. Start a buzz campaign on the net to boycott this business.

But hopefully the market will shun the product regardless. It's repulsive.

[GreenMachine]

It is repulsive, but did you read the article? It tells you that they have signed legal papers with the man (who is schizophrenic) and therefore, they can't be sued.

[DanielChang]

The courts found the man to be competent, "lucid and gracious." This is indeed very sad.

[ayannaaaliyah]

They can fight it and stop it when it is obvious that he has a mental illness. I have a feeling that the sister is just waiting for the company to turn a hefty profit and then she'll step in and try suing

[sunny_kidii]

I Think This Is Crazy ....
It Is Out Of Morality..