“All parties settle differences” over Rotolight censorship row

Den Lennie, a film-maker who earlier this year publicly accused Rotolight of censoring a negative product review, said he has accepted an apology from the manufacturer.

The row centred around a critical video made by Lennie about the Rotolight Anova LED light. The review tested the product against competing video lights and produced a poor result for the Anova. When the video was published, the UK-based lighting maker had it removed under “trademark infringement” rules, as it was suggested the review was of a faulty unit and not representative of the product. But at the time Lennie said: “I feel that this is unjust simply because they did not like the results.”

He also appealed to film-makers to “stand together” on the issue.

Last month Rotolight gave an official response, apologising for “any offence caused to Den Lennie and the F‐Stop academy, and for the resulting anxieties around freedom of speech”.

Some photographers condemned Rotolight over the dispute, but others suggested it was deceptive of Lennie to publish a product review of a malfunctioning unit.

The film-maker has since updated his original blog post, stating: “Rotolight have admitted that they messed up so lets cut them some slack now. They’ve apologised and I’ve accepted.”

Other industry figures have weighed in. Director of photography Rodney Charters, known for his work on American television shows such as 24 and Dallas, said in an IBC 2013 interview for Rotolight: “There was an internet exchange with Den Lennie; all the parties have settled their differences.”

“What was important is I think the light in question was damaged,” he added.

Rotolight has been keen to draw a line under the matter, which netted the company some negative publicity when the incident was originally reported. A new Anova LED has since been announced, the Anova V2, with owners of the original model able to upgrade their units for £99 ($150).