Real Networks's
Freedom of Music Choice site purports to reveal a massive groundswell of public sentiment behind Real's effort to convince Apple to open up the iPod to competitors' music services. Whatever you think of the merits of Real's position, the site is blatant one-sided proaganda. In an attempt to show all the grassroots support for their position, Real started a petition. Well, this kinda sotra backfired when nine out of ten of the signatories added comments critical of Real. Now they're trying to
cover it up. Real put up a new petition that does not allow signatories to add comments.
Freedom of choice is apparently a good thing, but
freedom of speech is to be discouraged when said speech is incompatible with corporate goals. The original
petition, complete with comments, is still online. Owned!