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Microsoft Steals Code From Microblogging Startup

Posted by kdawson on from the did-they-think-nobody-would-notice dept.

Readers davidlougheed and TSHTF both let us know that microblogging service Plurk reported today that Microsoft China not only copied look and feel from its interface, but also copied raw code from Plurk's service, when it released its own microblogging service called MSN Juku (or Mclub). In instances of the code released on the Plurk blog, the layout, code structure, and variable names were very similar or in some cases 100% identical. The story has been covered in multiple media sources. The software theft is hypocritical, given Microsoft's past threats against Chinese software piracy."

3 of 315 comments (clear)

  1. As someone who works with outsourced Chinese labor by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    I'm sure this is simply a case of the engineers in China being told "make us this product", and when waiting until they deliver a finished product without questioning it properly. Their American MSFT overlords probably took no time to apply the same oversight that they would give to their domestic employees.

    How do I know this? Because it's happened with my company before too.

    And why does it happen? Language barrier and time zone difference.

  2. The reports are too soft by DMiax · · Score: 5, Informative

    Reading most of the press reports it would seem that the allegation is based on similarities in the look, shown by screenshots. If you read from Plurk's post you will see that the code is identical apart from some variables that were called *Plurk* and got renamed to *Wall*... It sounds much more serious this way.

  3. Re:Of course being in China, by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative
    Sorry, you are wrong. I'm neither American nor Chinese, but I have spent significant time in both countries. Yes, some things are bizarre in the US considering the country's history of being recipient of religious fugitives from Europe. For a country that celebrates freedom so much, there is a remarkable level of control, censorship and restrictions. HOWEVER, in the US you may mostly express criticism against government and judicial system without being put in jail for up to 15 years. Save Guantanamo, people are not dragged away to torture, incarceration and sometimes murder without trial. The lack of respect for the most basic human rights in China is amazing.

    This once I choose to post anonymously to protect myself and my Chinese visa.