RE: deceptive Interwoven marketing

On Tue, 10 Aug 2004 16:30:26 -0500, Austin, Darrel wrote
> 
> We had the same issues when we purchased software from Web500. They decided
> to write up a big press release saying how we were a customer now, ignoring
> the fact that we were completely dissapointed in the product and had
> demanded a refund.
> 
> Tehnically not lying, but, well...never trust a press release. ;o)

Had a similar situation, IW was pushing my client to allow a press release but
the client was so unhappy with the product that they wouldn't allow it.  It's
been almost a year and still no press release on that significant reference
customer.

I've since been browsing all their press releases and finding many deceptive
statements.  For instance, "Interwoven integrates with WebSphere").  I believe
that's total BS, you pretty much have to write that integration yourself.  So
I could say that assembly language integrates with .NET, it doesn't really
mean anything without context, but it casts an impression that is unfounded. 
I agree, technically not lying, but not sound, ethical business practice
either.  If they make enough claims like this, wouldn't that be grounds for a
class action lawsuit, or some other action?  I know someone signed a license
agreement, but that was based on assumptions of reasonable business conduct. 
I mean, if I buy a box of software and there is no disk inside, I would at
least get a refund.  Corporations should probably be reimbursed for consulting
expenditures based on invalid architectural premises.

BTW, have been working with IW for 4 years and this is not the first evidence
of questionable ethics, and not only on the marketing side.