In any case, would you actually agree that legal threats from companies towards unhappy customers is one of the worst thing to adopt, especially in such an environment where we are liberating the exchange of information and experiences?

One thing that I observed on many occasions, the best way is still interaction on an open platform that highlights the company’s ability and willingness to undertake responsibilities over their words. Sometimes, the response is secondary and all their customers look for is accountability.

I went through this recently with my legal department. The way I won them over is bringing them up to speed on the business objectives, successes other companies I have had, my personal blogging experience, policies we should set etc.

You need to take a lead in educating them - they want to do the right thing as well - present your case, the business benefits, give them examples of blogging policies from companies such as those from IBM, Microsoft etc. and make them feel at ease that you are not breaking new ground here.

Point them to good resources that they can read upon. In short, help them to help you.

Chief executives who hide behind the legal department or allow corporate lawyers to dictate what they can or cannot do aren’t leading their companies, they are just managing the status quo and the safety of their position.

The only way to overcome the legal obstacles when they arise is to get a company’s leadership to buy into the opportunity offered by new media tools.

Having a game plan for the legal team to review wouldn’t hurt: Show them how the other guys do it.