Plurk Claims Microsoft Stole Its Code

Plurk, a start-up microblogging rival of Twitter, claims that Microsoft China has stolen its user interface and more than 80-percent of its code, and applied the ripped data into the latter company's MSN Juku microblogging service in China. Plurk made the theft publicly known in this blog, and even provided a few screenshots to show the similarities.

According to the blog, Microsoft never approached Plurk in regards to content and design, nor did Plurk collaborate with Microsoft in any capacity regarding the MSN Juku service. However, the screenshots show a striking similarity, both Microsoft's service and Plurk offering the same left-right timeline scrolling navigation system. The only real difference, it appears, is the text input area towards the bottom.

"We were first tipped off by high profile bloggers and Taiwanese users of our community that Microsoft had just launched a new Chinese microblogging service that looked eerily similar to Plurk," the company said. "Needless to say, we were absolutely shocked and outraged when we first saw with our own eyes the cosmetic similarities Microsoft’s new offering had with Plurk. From the filter tabs, emoticons, qualifier/verb placement, Karma scoring system, media support, new user walkthroughs to pretty much everything else that gives Plurk its trademark appeal, Microsoft China’s offering ripped off our service."

The blog provides plenty of evidence that suggest similarities under the hood. Plurk expressed that it's unsure about what to do next, and is asking readers, colleagues, and press for support and suggestions. It will be interesting to see what Microsoft has to say about the JavaScript and overall design of its microblogging service.We're betting there will be a denial of some sort.

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