Friday, November 27, 2009

Amazon / Dpreview.com threaten web blogger.

Askey / Amazon threatens Karel Donk for "using dpreview's images" without permission". They also demand that he give written reply that he will in future not use any of dpreview's material. Effectively gagging him. He replies by arguing fair use and mentioning principles used by the US courts on determining what is fair use. Amazon's lawyers then BACK DOWN. I think dpreview's objectivity was compromised long ago since Amazon took over. Nowadays, almost every camera is "Recommended" on their site.

As far as I'm concerned, Karel gives pretty good insight in his analysis and critical writing. I think these matters concern free speech, fair use, and exercising one's own critical thinking and not having the "wool pulled over our eyes" by camera companies, camera sellers, and their "independent camera review sites". http://www.kareldonk.com/karel/