Spy or customer?2 Business Equipment Corporation (BEC) has developed a new technology that will enable it to launch a fax machine superior to anything now on the market. Kyle, product manager at BEC, goes into panic when he reads that Hiyota, a competitor, plans to release a new high-quality fax machine before BEC’s product will be ready. Kyle must find out what the machine can do as soon as possible, so he can give the production department new specifications if necessary. He asks his marketing consultant Lynn to make an appointment with a Hiyota sales representative and pretend to be a customer. During their discussion, she will obtain copy samples and learn as much as possible about product features, pricing, and marketing strategy. Lynn is hesitant about the ruse and doesn’t want to waste the sales rep’s time. However, Kyle insists that it is perfectly legal because no trade secrets will be stolen. People do this sort of thing all the time, and it is Hiyota’s responsibility to make sure information doesn’t leak out before the product hits the market. Besides, sales reps are accustomed to unproductive sales pitches, and who knows, the rep may convince Lynn to buy the new Hiyotas for her company.