http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/02/12/bioware_handcuffs_fansites/

Fansites cannot make *ANY* money from advertisers or donations, or lose access to all information from Bioware regarding the MMO....

Talk about cutting your nose off to spite your face. O_o

whats next, shooting people who try to defect to WoW?

It is a bit much, but they say they are going to do things a bit differently.
Any fansite that complies gets the latest information first and from Bioware directly and they might be able to offer promo's and such.
If I read it correctly of course.
That's an interesting approach, but not really feasible since the operators of the fansites do need some form of income to pay for their site.
If I had to choose I'd go for the ad revenue instead of the possibility that Bioware might throw me a bone.

This is basically a prime example of shooting oneself to the leg.

It's ridiculous. The very reason fansites would make a big effort and, you know, WANT to have the latest news, is to get more visitors. Except more visitors = a need for better bandwidth and better host = cost more money. A few ads would solve the problem and even add an extra incentive to make a nice attractive site. It's like Bioware has gotten dropped on its head by EA - the whole Dragon Age II being a crappy console action RPG after it sold loads on PC in its more hardcore form seems to just be the start *shakes head*

Or building a giant Firewall so they can keep the gamers playing... I mean protecting them from the evil wow influence.