Sony Ericsson Shows How Not To Connect With Fans: Forces Shutdown Of Xperia Fan Blog

from the bad-moves dept

Via Reddit we learn of yet another bad move by a shortsighted company. This time it's Sony Ericsson, who sent a legal nastygram to the Xperia blog at xperiablog.net -- a blog that talks up and promotes a bunch of things happening with the Xperia device that Sony Ericsson is pushing. Since it sounds like the blog itself, and the post explaining this, is likely to go away pretty soon, we're reposting it here:

It is with great sadness that we have to bring you the news that this will be the last post on this website. Sony Ericsson has filed a formal complaint about the use of the trademarked 'Xperia' name in our domain name and have requested that the domain names, including that of XperiaX10.net, be transferred to them.

Sony Ericsson is alleging that we have used the domain names in "bad faith". We are stunned and disappointed that Sony Ericsson, a company that we have spent much of our free personal time in promoting, especially the Xperia brand, has decided to take this formal action against us. After all we are just like you, passionate Sony Ericsson users, who have strived to bring the community breaking news and an independent viewpoint.

We do not have the resources to fight Sony Ericsson on this and therefore this is the last you will hear from us. Sony Ericsson has made great strides in its Xperia portfolio, especially in listening to the community. This makes it all the more confusing as to why Sony Ericsson would want to shut us down. We genuinely believe that 2012 could be a bumper year for the company, we just wish we could have been there along for the ride.

It's too bad they decided to cave. I would imagine they might be able to find some pro bono legal help on this, because the claim that the domain was registered in bad faith seems pretty freaking ridiculous. Plenty of "fan sites" have been allowed to continue, as long as there's no likelihood of confusion. It really is too bad that Sony Ericsson not only chose to go this route, but also went all the way to a formal dispute resolution (they don't say what, but I'm guessing a UDRP claim). It's amazing how many companies do really dumb things, just because some lawyers know they can.

Filed Under: fan blog, legal, xperia
Companies: sony ericsoon