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Microblogger Plurk alleges code and design theft by Microsoft |
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Microsoft's latest woe in its list of woes has its origins in its recent Juku microblogging service in China. Launched as a beta in November, Microsoft is now facing allegations of code theft from Plurk, a Canadian startup that provides a similar service. In a lengthy blog post accompanied by visuals supporting its allegations in some detail, an outraged Plurk vented its understanding of the sequence of events. Plurk said that the MSN Juku/Hompy/Mclub design and user interface “is by and large an EXACT copy of Plurk’s innovative left-right time line scrolling navigation system” and posted screen captures comparing its own code base to that of Microsoft's. It said that Microsoft seems to have stolen around 80% of the client and product code base directly from Plurk. “As a young startup, we’re stunned, shocked, and unsure what to do next and need your support and suggestions,” the blog said. Plurk's blog claimed that prior to its censorship “behind the Great Firewall of China”, it was the #1 microblogging service in the country. “We were never contacted by any party at MS to collaborate on such a venture nor did we give any prior written or verbal permission to anyone on their side to take our code, take our CSS, and copy the essence and ethos of our service,” it clarified. “We’re still in shock asking why Microsoft would even stoop to this level of wilfully plagiarising a young and innovative upstart’s work rather than reach out to us or innovate on their own terms. Of course, it just hits that much closer to home when all your years of hard work and effort to create something unique are stolen so brazenly. All the more ironic considering Microsoft has often been leading the charge on fighting for stronger IP laws and combating software piracy in China.” In its immediate defense, Microsoft put out a statement saying it took intellectual property very seriously and was working with MSN China to “investigate the situation”. It also said that the entire matter pertained to a feature developed by a third-party vendor for the MSN China joint venture. It said that the MSN China joint venture had contracted with an independent vendor to create a feature called MSN Juku that allowed MSN users to find friends via microblogging and online games. Now, in the wake of questions about the code base comprising the service, Microsoft said MSN China will suspend access to the Juku beta feature temporarily “while we investigate the matter fully.” |
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