Last week, Las Vegas was overrun with thousands of journalists and exhibitors for the annual Consumer Electronics Show. It is there that many new products and technologies are showcased, ranging from smart televisions and car audio equipment. In this way, it represents a great opportunity for companies to build buzz and brand awareness.

As can be expected, a lot of pictures are taken over the course of those few days. For most vendors, this is a good thing. They want to get as much coverage and as many media mentions as possible. The more people who know about your product offerings, the better. That’s why I find it a curiosity when a company tells me not to take any pictures.

That’s exactly what happened when I came across an interesting Tron-themed gaming chair. As a member of the media, I started taking pictures with the intention of providing coverage. I was then approached by a booth representative, saying that pictures were not allowed, even for the press.

Why, then, would you be actively showcasing a product if you did not want it to appear in newspapers, magazines, and online media outlets? The assumption is that they were not able to get the proper Tron licensing agreement in place. If that’s the case, you shouldn’t be showcasing that particular product. If you are going to be exhibiting at a trade show, only show what you are comfortable with people seeing (and recording).