socialmedian: Ning Shuts Down Premium Developer WidgetLaboratory

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Ning Shuts Down Premium Developer WidgetLaboratory

Source: TechCrunch

Aug 22, 2008

Summary

Ning, the build-your-own social network platform, has removed all widgets created by premium developer WidgetLaboratory. The news has come without warning and is being met with outrage by a number of users who have spent hundreds of dollars on the widgets to build up their social networks.

WidgetLaboratory has posted a notice to its site explaining that it has received no explanation from Ning, and speculates that the shutdown is a result of anti-competitive behavior rather than a breach of the ToS. The site has also posted a form asking users how much they’ve spent on their widgets so they can be properly compensated (apparently through a lawsuit). Here’s an excerpt (the emphasis is mine):

As of this morning, August 22, 2008, we learned from our customers that Ning had unilaterally removed Widgetlaboratory.com and all of its products. We have received no formal notice or explanation at this time. We have not violated any Terms of Service, nor have we violated any published “guidelines” from Ning.

This action by Ning was completely without any notice, was wit

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