Online video startup Grouper (pictured) denies any impending deal with Sony, despite an e-mailed rumor that one was buying the other.

The Sales and Marketing VP of Grouper, which is running on $5.25 million of funding, says the company will not be joining up with Sony (market cap $45.19 billion). Avoiding a Sony deal would make sense for Grouper; where would Grouper find office space for Sony's 152,700 employees?

Contact information for this author is not available.