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In September 2024, a man named Tiwari bought a 55-inch Sony Bravia television for roughly $1,800. It worked fine for nearly two years.
By July 2026, at 22 months into what was supposed to be a three-year warranty, the screen developed vertical green lines and stopped working properly. Tiwari brought it to an authorized Sony service center, still well within his warranty window, expecting a straightforward repair or replacement.
That's not what happened. A technician visited his home, photographed the screen, and sent the images off for review. Sony's verdict came back days later: the damage was classified as caused by an "external factor," which voided his warranty coverage entirely. The company quoted him $350to fix a TV he says had no dent, crack, or scratch anywhere on it.
Tiwari pushed back, asking Sony to explain exactly what evidence led to that conclusion. According to him, the company never provided a real technical explanation, only the same photo of the failing screen they'd already sent.
Frustrated after two months of unanswered emails and calls, Tiwari decided to make his case publicly. He registered the domain SonyBravia and built a detailed website laying out his entire timeline, including emails, photos, and the repair quote, inviting anyone to see the dispute for themselves. He also began posting about it on social media.
The site quickly caught attention, especially after Sony's response. On September 1, 2026, Tiwari says Sony India's lawyers sent him a legal notice demanding he take down the website and social media posts, issue an apology, or face damages of up to $600,000.
Rather than backing down, Tiwari kept the site live. The dispute has since gone viral, with other customers sharing their own complaints about Sony's after-sales service and warranty practices.