more legal paperwork ...
apparently, TLC wants to have something (the contract?) sealed. This is Jon's counterclaim to that:
http://www.radaronline.com/sites/default/files/GosselinSealedReq.pdf
Okay--my laptop doesn't want to cooperate and let me read that file. I got a glimpse of a few paragraphs and gave up...
So my response is conditional on what the counterclaim says:
I agree in principle with Jon. I don't feel that TLC has the right to seal the document to any investigative authorities IF and only IF the contract content is pertinent to the case. I.e. The contract does nothing to prove that TLC didn't obtain permits. If PA doesn't have them on file, they don't.
The contract COULD prove if TLC accepted or designated responsibity of those permits. So keeping the contract sealed could harm Jon and Kate if TLC stated they were taking care of anything.
I disagree that the contract should be made a matter of public record. It is not something that needs to be seen and it could adversely impact TLC's other contracts with other documentary subjects. If those contracts have legal issues, or if those subjects wish to negotiate more favorable terms, that is between those parties, TLC and the laws that govern the state that filming takes place.
If necessary, those particular cases can take it to court and subpoena for access to the Gosseline contract, but it is rather irrelevant.
I do not feel that TLC can keep the contract as privileged information from Jon's attorneys and I am not sure if the Dept of Labor really needs to see the contracts since there have been no paystubs or direct deposits to the Gosseline children (and really the counter claim is not the avenue to force the contract to be an open record to the state of PA.)
Gee--I have lots of opinions for not being able to read the entire counterclaim.
I agree with the principle of the contract being made availabe b/c it would be nonsense to argue the case without the tangible contract.
I do not agree that it necessitates being public record as many times corporations have been permitted to keep documents if not an entire case sealed to protect their corporate interests.
Folks may not like TLC--but there is no reason to ruin a company just for the sake of doing so and they are entitled to protect their interests if they can an that would include keeping the contract private from competitors and from other talent/subjects within their own programming.
Of course the judge may disagree with me and he would know more than me.
