A Distinctive Taste

soupsoup:

missing-e:

As you may remember, I received an email from Tumblr’s General Counsel nearly two weeks ago demanding that I comply with their interpretation of Tumblr’s policies. I requested this in writing after a surprise phone call on the topic, during which I was told that if I did not address the apparent issues to their satisfaction or stop distribution of Missing e, my personal account (and all of its associated blogs) would be deleted.

I replied the very next day with an email intended to clarify Missing e’s implementation and the applicability of Tumblr’s policies, as well as to request more information regarding how Tumblr intends to apply their policies to delete my account based on what they believe are violations of their API License Agreement (which, so far as I can tell, does not offer this as a punitive action) should I desire to consult with legal counsel.

Since replying to the initial email eleven days ago, I have not received a response. In the meantime, you are welcome to keep up with the email exchanges on the Missing e website.

I’ve listened to both sides on this issue.

I think David and his team are doing great things and are creating a tremendous product but I think they’re making a mistake with “missing-e”

Extensions are a fact of life for anyone who builds products that live on the web. They exist because people often want to be able to customize how they interact with those products. In the case of the “missing-e” many of us Tumblr users have found great utility in these customizations.

I understand Tumblr’s position but I don’t agree with it, they need to learn how to live with extensions and train their support staff to simply say: “are you using extensions? turn them off. still having problems? contact the person who created the extension”

This is not that difficult. Keep up the great work Tumblr, and keep up the great work Jeremy. If only the both of you could figure out a way to work together, we would all benefit from the collaboration.

This cold war doesn’t help anyone.

One of the things that my team has repeatedly discussed is tumblrs immaturity in how they go about things.  I know first hand dealing with people who have changed after receiving an influx of cash.  Even though they have clearly put in the hard work, it’s never good to alienate someone or something that could increase someone usage of your platform.   It’s their product and if they want take the “wait till I get my money right, then you can’t tell me nothing”  approach so be it.  It is well known within small circles that tumblr takes it design and development cues from a small group of tumblr’s.  If those people don’t request a change, or veto one in development, it doesn’t get done.  He it works.  Too bad they can’t be more open.  Take the lawyers out of it for a second and talk. 

(Source: missing-e)