TLDR
- Sony’s Ethereum L2 network Soneium launched after attracting 14M testnet users
- Network blocked transactions of unauthorized Sony IP-based meme coins
- Users discovered workaround to process restricted transactions with 12-hour delay
- Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin endorsed Sony’s balanced approach
- Sony BSL confirms pro-innovation stance while protecting IP rights
Entertainment giant Sony has entered the blockchain space with Soneium, a new Ethereum scaling network that’s making waves for its innovative approach to intellectual property protection. The platform’s recent actions have sparked discussions about how corporate entities can participate in decentralized networks while maintaining brand control.
Soneium emerged from stealth mode this week after an impressive testnet phase that drew more than 14 million users. The platform operates as an Ethereum Layer 2 solution, promising users faster transactions and lower fees compared to the main Ethereum network.
The network’s launch quickly caught attention when users reported they couldn’t trade certain meme coins. Two tokens in particular – Aibo and Toro – faced restrictions because they referenced Sony’s intellectual property without authorization. Aibo was named after Sony’s robot dog line, while Toro borrowed from a PlayStation game character.
Block explorer Blockscout revealed these contracts had been marked as “forbidden” on the network. Soneium’s team took to social media to explain they had implemented protective measures to safeguard Sony’s intellectual property rights through “temporary restrictions on certain contracts.”
However, the cryptocurrency community quickly discovered an interesting workaround. Researcher Luca Donno demonstrated that users could still process these transactions by submitting them directly to Ethereum’s main network, though this method included a 12-hour waiting period.
The situation highlighted the unique architecture of Layer 2 networks built on the OP Stack – the same technology that powers other scaling solutions like Base and Ink. This design allows for what Ethereum creator Vitalik Buterin described as a “speed bump” approach, where transactions can be slowed but not permanently blocked.
In response to questions about the network’s policies, Sota Watanabe from Sony Block Solutions Labs emphasized their “pro-responsibility” stance. “We’re not against innovation or meme coins,” Watanabe explained. “We’re focused on creating an environment where creativity thrives within appropriate legal boundaries.”
The technical structure of Soneium includes a centralized sequencer, which helps process and order transactions before they’re submitted to Ethereum. This setup gives Sony’s team some control over network activity while maintaining blockchain principles of eventual accessibility.
Soneium’s team has clarified that their restrictions only affect specific smart contracts through their public RPCs. Users can still access the blockchain through alternative methods, maintaining the network’s fundamental openness while adding layers of protection for intellectual property.
Beyond transaction processing, Soneium offers several entertainment-focused features. The platform includes tools for NFT-based fan engagement and hosts an incubator program called Soneium Spark, suggesting broader applications for blockchain in Sony’s entertainment ecosystem.
The network processes transactions by bundling them together before submitting to Ethereum, a common approach for Layer 2 solutions aiming to improve efficiency and reduce costs. This method allows Soneium to handle high volumes of transactions while maintaining security.
Users who encounter restrictions can still process transactions through the main Ethereum network, though with added delay. This feature exists by design, built into the OP Stack architecture that powers the platform.
Buterin’s endorsement of Soneium’s approach highlighted how different levels of control can coexist within Ethereum’s ecosystem. He emphasized the importance of users understanding each platform’s specific properties and limitations.
Looking ahead, Soneium’s team plans to implement a grace period for future contract restrictions and improve their communication about network policies. They continue to refine their approach to balance innovation with intellectual property protection.
The platform represents a new model for corporate engagement with blockchain technology, demonstrating how companies can participate in decentralized networks while maintaining necessary controls over their intellectual property.
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