EightBlack.

I received an email from Ben Petro the other day. Ben is the co-creator of Google Idol. Google Inc, thought so highly of it, that they put a direct link from their Google Video site to it.

By all accounts, Google Idol represents what’s possible with the internet. It’s a great case study and a perfect example of how sites can generate massive traction early on.

More importantly, the site was built and created by local Aussies, who all had full time jobs doing something else.

Because Google Idol used the word “idol” in its name, Fremantle Media North America, the owners of the American and Australian Idol phenomenon took offence to this and started intimidating Ben and his partners. Read his explanation here.

If you ask me, it was bullshit.

They sent a “cease and desist” letter and demanded Google Idol not refer to the word “idol” anymore.

This is such small thinking.

Even Google Inc, knew that, while Ben and his partners had taken creative licence with Google the brand, Google were smart enough to know that the site was promoting the hell out of Google Video. They loved it. They endorsed it.

But some cheese dick at Fremantle Media thought otherwise.

Rather than think outside the box and work out how a deal could be done with Google Idol, they resorted to the legal channel and demanded the change.

I hope the Google Idol community will continue to support Ben and his site. And I hope Google Inc, get wind of this and do something about it.

I’d put my money on their 100 lawyers anyday.

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This entry was posted on Monday, November 13th, 2006 at 10:35 am and is filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.