[rmr02]

OK, spouse and I (we're snowbirds - go ahead, I'm ducking) went to an activity this morning at Saddlebrook. Everyone checking in was handed this form, full of lots of legalese, and asked to sign. Getting back to our rental, I read it and see that it totally releases the developer from anything and everything, and also allows the developer to photograph me and use it in whatever way they want, whether it is related to The Villages business or not.

Now, I have no problem signing a waiver of liability in those cases where I do something incredibly stupid and end up injuring myself. But this new waiver exonerates the developer, even any reasonable person would agree that my injury is 100% the developer's fault.

As for using my image - again, no problem if it's Villages related - they want to use my mug to help sell more houses, then by all means. But the wording in the document is such that if they realize that my photo is exactly what, say Smirnoff is looking for in a national ad, the developer gets to sell it to them, and I get nothing.

Am I the only one who finds this too onerous? I certainly don't remember being asked to sign anything like this last year.

Sorry for the long post, but I just had to vent.

[eweissenbach]

And if you refuse to sign.............................................. ....................

[bike42]

You've signed it every year, before you use any of the rec centers or participate in any club activities. I'm sure a lawyer will chime in on this, but you cannot sign away either your health or your life. If someone does something truly negligent you can sue them.

As for someone making lots of money from a photo of you -- LOL

[graciegirl]

I had no idea. Now I will add that to my list of worries.

And...IF I END UP ON HOT BABES.COM....I am gonna be p***ed.

[ladylake1]

I have never had to sign anything at a rec center. I haven't been anywhere yet in 2011 but to this point participated in activities and only had to show ID card.

[skyguy79]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

I had no idea. Now I will add that to my list of worries.

And...IF I END UP ON HOT BABES.COM....I am gonna be p***ed.

You know Gracie, if it were me EVERYBODY would be a lot more p***ed... or worse!

[rmr02]

Originally Posted by bike42

As for someone making lots of money from a photo of you -- LOL

You obviously haven't seen my purty mug

[ncr2482]

For the past few years, if you play in a pickleball league you must sign a waiver to participate.

[Russ_Boston]

Originally Posted by bike42

You've signed it every year, before you use any of the rec centers or participate in any club activities. I'm sure a lawyer will chime in on this, but you cannot sign away either your health or your life. If someone does something truly negligent you can sue them.

As for someone making lots of money from a photo of you -- LOL

Most of these waivers aren't as good as the paper they are printed on. As mentioned, if someone is truly negligent, they may be liable no matter what was signed.

[swrinfla]

As I approach my sixth anniversary here in TV, I must report that I signed my very first waiver form just this morning, at the insistence of several others with whom I was meeting.

I regret not having read "the fine print," but figure the chances of me losing something if I can blame the Developer for something I probably did . . . well, they're so small . . .

SWR

[sgvegas]

Originally Posted by eweissenbach

And if you refuse to sign.............................................. ....................

This is just another attempt by the Mor$e family to scare the residents into submission. Of course do not sign it, but if you do, it will not hold up in court.
What it is saying is that the Villages management does not have to do anything to keep residents safe.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by sgvegas

This is just another attempt by the Mor$e family to scare the residents into submission. Of course do not sign it, but if you do, it will not hold up in court.
What it is saying is that the Villages management does not have to do anything to keep residents safe.

Are you a resident?

[Pturner]

Originally Posted by sgvegas

This is just another attempt by the Mor$e family to scare the residents into submission. Of course do not sign it, but if you do, it will not hold up in court.
What it is saying is that the Villages management does not have to do anything to keep residents safe.

1) Another attempt? Would you mind listing the others, so I can start shaking in my boots?

2) As others have pointed out, you can't waive negligence. What it might be saying is:

• Please don't come with visions of huge lawsuit settlements dancing in your head; or stated another way,
• Be careful and if you do something stupid, don't come crying to me.

[redwitch]

I will admit to having issues about their being allowed to take pix and then use them however they see fit, not just in TV marketing. However, this has been in the release since I've been here, so I'm not going to cry a lot about it. If, like me, you have reasons for not wanting to have your pic taken, just be very aware of where a camera is at any time and stay out of its focus or give it the back of your head. Has worked for me, so far.

As has been said, you can't sign personal injury rights away. If the developer or the Districts are culpable, the waiver won't hold up in court -- at least not in most of the U.S. v(Fla. does have some interesting laws protecting business, so, maybe an attorney could chime in and let us know for sure.)

[thistrucksforyou]

Originally Posted by rmr02

OK, spouse and I (we're snowbirds - go ahead, I'm ducking) went to an activity this morning at Saddlebrook. Everyone checking in was handed this form, full of lots of legalese, and asked to sign. Getting back to our rental, I read it and see that it totally releases the developer from anything and everything, and also allows the developer to photograph me and use it in whatever way they want, whether it is related to The Villages business or not.

Now, I have no problem signing a waiver of liability in those cases where I do something incredibly stupid and end up injuring myself. But this new waiver exonerates the developer, even any reasonable person would agree that my injury is 100% the developer's fault.

As for using my image - again, no problem if it's Villages related - they want to use my mug to help sell more houses, then by all means. But the wording in the document is such that if they realize that my photo is exactly what, say Smirnoff is looking for in a national ad, the developer gets to sell it to them, and I get nothing.

Am I the only one who finds this too onerous? I certainly don't remember being asked to sign anything like this last year.

Sorry for the long post, but I just had to vent.

some people will sign anything , just because they say so ! I say don't sign it and see what happens !