I think the line ought to be more geared toward financial and competitive issues than a profit/nonprofit angle. And a definition of 'comeptitor' and/or 'direct competitor' would be required to resolve the listserv vs. IBB vs. whatever issue. It should be broad enough to include the Amex and specific airline communities but not things like mistake fare listservs, imho.

Here's a generic example of what it might look like


A TB member must avoid:

•Working with a business that is in direct competition with FT. [note: this does not preclude one from being a customer of a competitor, it means you should not be someone with responsibilities to a competitor]

•Accepting a gift from a competitor nor from any party that might have an expectation of quid-pro-quo vis a vis your TalkBoard responsibilities.

•Having a direct or indirect financial interest in or a financial relationship with a competitor (except for insignificant stock interests in publicly-held companies).

•Having a job or consulting relationship where your employer/client is a direct competitor.

•Using nonpublic information for your personal gain or advantage, or for the gain or advantage of a competitor.



Come to think of it, FT moderators ought to have a similar policy!!!! But of course, we don't talk about moderation or moderators here. Just a thought for the next time you guys are looking at your best practices document if you haven't already included them! @:-)