Ethics of a Marketer

Recently (Yesterday) I have been contacted on these forums to 'trade' marketing ebooks and videos. Of course I denied the offer, and I replied saying that it would be unethical to trade ebooks. Especially since both marketing ebooks were still being sold by the owners, and there were no MRR or RR rights involved with the ebooks.

I thought that would be the end of the conversation, but I got a reply back from the individual - no I won't name who - and in the reply she asked, "Is it ethical to steal other peoples methods?"

I took that she meant, "Is it ethical to use other peoples methods that they teach in their ebooks?"

Of course I believe it is fine to use another person's method if they share it with you for free, or they sell it to you. Is this not why businesses hire consultants?

She was clever though by trying to turn the tables on me and make me feel guilty for using other peoples methods, then comparing it to trading methods. Pretty much trying to convince me that it is fine to take part in this lewd act of betrayal. Yes it is betrayal, because I am letting my fellow marketers down. The same marketers that worked day in and day out to create these products, and the same marketers that spent the money to purchase the products the legal way.

People that take part in such madness is awful! I have even seen some membership sites that will buy information products and make them available to their members. Even though these products do not have MRR, RR, or PLR. Now, I still know some membership sites that will do the same, but only for MRR, RR, or PLR products, and I believe that is ok.

These same ethics can even be taken a step further!

How about people that offer packages with their products, and yet they do NOT have the rights to those extras. The average person would not know this and thus encourage the behavior by purchasing the offer that is laid upon the table. I always try to research what offers I purchase. This way I know for sure that no one is getting ripped off...mainly myself, but that in turn reveals if anyone else is getting ripped off by not being monetarily compensated for their work.

I do not know many marketers that do this, but I have ran across it.

I know that this is just one ethical problem we have in the marketing world - online and off - but I was wondering if any of you could expose a few more issues that could present a serious ethics violation?

Maybe if we expose such behavior, we can help others avoid falling into the trap! I am sure many have fallen into the trap to innocently trade ebooks, programs, videos, tools, and much more.

Or, maybe you are the one whom thinks this is ok? Tell us why you think it is fine and in no way harms anyone. Maybe you can change my point of view, but I highly doubt you will.

In closing, my conscious is always guided by doing to others what I would want others to do to me. Pretty much boils down to RESPECT. And, if I create a product I would not want people to rip it off, and yes, to me trading is ripping it off.


All Best,
Joshua C.