Burt’s Bees doesn’t care about you

Wherein this is real outrage, not the usual faux outrage


Sunday was a beautiful day, so with most of the cleanup out of the way we headed to Midtown for the Atlanta Dogwood Festival. One of the nicer art shows in the country with many of the artists traveling the country. Fine artwork in all mediums.

We brought home a whimsical still life photography print from Jennifer Prince. We were very impressed with Karin Connolly's ethereal floral photographs printed on canvas. And the glass work at Tray Cool Glass reminds me that I need to start practicing my kiln work again. Interestingly the Tray Cool website has very few of the more interesting pieces they were exhibiting - check out the bowls and sconces for the best examples of their artistry.

Now that we have the pleasantries out of the way, let's turn our attention to Burt's Bees. They have a traveling exhibit extolling the virtues of their products, with lots of samples. Sounded interesting, but just before you enter the tent is one of the most obnoxious signs I've ever read:


Just in case that wasn't clear, here's the text:

WELCOME TO BURT'S BEES BEE-UTIFY YOUR WORLD TOUR!
PLEASE READ THIS NOTICE

This event and its activities participants will be photographed and/or recorded.

By your presence, you grant Burt's Bees and Alloy Marketing and Promotions, LLC (the "Companies") the right to use your name, biographical data, portrait, photograph, voice, or likeness in any form, in whole or in part, for advertising, promotional, or trade purposed related to the Companies products and services in any and all media, without territorial, time, use, or other limitation, and without compensation, notification or permission. You further release the Companies from all liabilities arising out of any distortion or faulty mechanical reproductions of your likeness, and agree that any and all material, storage mediums, and recordings, regardless of form, containing your likeness and or voice are and shall remain the property of the Companies.

Thank you.

I know I have a few lawyer types occasionally stopping by, so I'm hoping they can tell me if I'm overreacting. Because to me, this reads as Burt's Bees saying they can do the following and screw you for complaining:

• Use your photograph in any way they like.
  
• Use film of you in any way they like.
  
• Use a recording of your voice in any way they like.
  
• This is not limited to Burt's Bees; if Alloy Marketing wants to use your face to launch a nationwide campaign about the dangers of herpes, too bad.
  
• Maybe you're allergic to honey and are just accompanying a friend. Next thing you know, you're on a billboard with the caption: "I love to rub honey all over my body." Sucker, you chose to enter the tent.
  
• Don't forget that part about releasing them from liability arising from distortion of your likeness. If they want to digitize your likeness into a film where you looks like you're clubbing baby seals, so be it.

Burt's Bees is claiming the right to do anything with your likeness and voice, and say anything about you, good or bad. They claim this right forever and state that they own you. Since you are their property, they can sell you to anyone else and then that company can do anything they want with you.

Frankly, I find this behavior completely disgusting and insulting, however harmless their intentions may be. Needless to say, I did not enter the tent and I saw a few other people leave as well. Not that it necessarily matters as they had a cameraman filming people standing in line waiting to get in. We've purchased some Burt's Bees products in the past, but no more.

Anyone else bothered by this complete lack of respect for personal privacy? Burt's Bees - you are dead to me.