Microsoft Technology Gadgets
Microsoft China rips off Asia’s No. 1 Microblogging ServiceDecember 14, 2009
According to the Plurk Blog:
Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery, but blatant theft of code, design, and UI elements is just not cool, especially when the infringing party is the biggest software company in the world. Yes, we’re talking about Microsoft. Blerg.
Here’s the short of what we think has happened:
Microsoft China officially launched its own microblogging service, MSN Juku/Hompy/Mclub, some time in November, 2009.The service’s design and UI is by and large an EXACT copy of Plurk’s innovative left-right timeline scrolling navigation system.
As a young startup, we’re stunned, shocked, and unsure what to do next and need your support and suggestions.
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. 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. See for yourself, screenshots and more info here
