Over the weekend, I learned about a new legal battle that Sony has picked up. Much like they did in the past with Xperiablog where Sony Ericsson wanted the fan/news site shut down, due to their copyright claim, Sony’s legal team now has SonyAlphaRumors in their crosshair. For those who are not familiar with the website, SonyAlphaRumors is run by the fantastic Andrea, who is a Sony fanatic. Much like us, Andrea created the website which hosts a forum for discussion and is updated regularly with news, because of the passion she has for Sony products.
I really don’t know how I should talk about the following issue. I can’t go into any details because I don’t want to have any troubles with anyone. All I can tell you is that some “superior forces” are trying to make the life on that website harder. They really don’t understand (as our readers do) how valuable this website can be for them. It’s going on since a while and it is a very tuff battle. One day I may will tell you everything but I can’t do it right now.
That’s why I will be probably forced to change the domain name by dropping the word “Sony”. That will make keeping the website alive much easier.
SonyAlphaRumors has also been our prime source for Sony camera news, seeing how Andrea has some great contacts and sources who supply her with regular information. Because of this, her site has been able to get some great scoops, be it early camera specs or pictures and has been used as a source by not only us, but other major outlets like Engadget. Now, Sony’s legal team wants to put an end to SonyAlphaRumors by claiming copyright on the site name and wants the site to either be shut down or have its name changed. Clearly, a name change would be devastating to the site, seeing how the site is dedicated to Sony camera news and a URL without the Sony name will surely result in a drop in discovery, thus leading to less Sony fans being able to find the site and its great content.
In the end, I’m not a lawyer nor do I know all the facts. What I do know is that precedents like this are dangerous. A website like SonyAlphaRumors might ruin a surprise or two for Sony but what it does in return is create a community for fans of their camera. It gives them a place to learn about all the latest Sony camera information, troubleshoot their products, and buy more Sony products, and it creates happy/informed users which will surely till others about their great camera.
Sony should realize that instead of spending time, paying bored lawyers that go on copyright witch hunts, they are better suited to save that money and invest it towards their own product line. In the case of Xperiablog, Sony eventually pulled the leash on their lawyers and I hope they do the same for SonyAlphaRumors which continues to empower the Sony camera community, not hinder it.
[Via SonyAlphaRumors]