Plurk’s official response to Microsoft’s apology • Hacker News Board

Re: Plurk’s official response to Microsoft’s apology

#21

Post by webwright » Thu, Dec 17, 2009, 2:29 PM UTC

anigbrowl wrote: post #3

Even I, as a co-founder of Plurk, have to write this press release myself. You poor dear. Look guys, quit while you're ahead. Everyone knows you are not going to sue Microsoft because the legal fees would be bigger than your market cap. The smart thing would be to take this down and say only that you're 'discussing it with them. Let MS takes you out on a date and give them some room to make it up to you. Sometimes th…

Agreed. This is weak on Plurk's part. How were they harmed?

Microsoft screwed up and hired a shady vendor who did a shady thing. As soon as they realized what happened, they owned it, fired the vendor, and shut down the site.

Just because Microsoft has money doesn't mean that Plurk deserves it.

Re: Plurk’s official response to Microsoft’s apology

#22

Post by fiaz » Thu, Dec 17, 2009, 2:40 PM UTC

anigbrowl wrote: post #3

Even I, as a co-founder of Plurk, have to write this press release myself. You poor dear. Look guys, quit while you're ahead. Everyone knows you are not going to sue Microsoft because the legal fees would be bigger than your market cap. The smart thing would be to take this down and say only that you're 'discussing it with them. Let MS takes you out on a date and give them some room to make it up to you. Sometimes th…

I agree with you.

For the sake of completeness, what would Microsoft do if the tables were turned?

Re: Plurk’s official response to Microsoft’s apology

#23

Post by elblanco » Thu, Dec 17, 2009, 2:41 PM UTC

stse wrote: post #20

ryanelkins wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm just glad to see that most of HN isn't riding the conspiracy train with them. It's like they imagine Bill Gates personally copying their code while cackling maniacally. I think it was fairly obvious that the whole thing was an accident (meaning it was not Microsoft's intention to have developer's steal Plurk's code). Microsoft gave a surprisingly refreshing apology and took the site down. This is quickly becoming…

I think most people here agree that your business should be based on making innovative products, not imitation nor litigation.

I hope no one from SCO is here.

Re: Plurk’s official response to Microsoft’s apology

#24

Post by elblanco » Thu, Dec 17, 2009, 2:59 PM UTC

Maybe this is a good opportunity to discuss being acquired by MS. Apparently they like your idea so much they want to have something like. Just buying the technology would be a reasonable move for them.

Re: Plurk’s official response to Microsoft’s apology

#25

Post by motters » Thu, Dec 17, 2009, 3:04 PM UTC

It seems strange to me that although Microsoft is the company at fault here many of the commentators seem to be basically praising Microsoft and blaming/deriding the guys whose code was plagiarized.

Re: Plurk’s official response to Microsoft’s apology

#26

Post by srj532 » Thu, Dec 17, 2009, 3:20 PM UTC

Plurk should settle down, Microsoft helped them! Microsoft gave Plurk a lot of free marketing and exposure from this incident and Microsoft has pulled their product and won't be competing now.

Re: Plurk’s official response to Microsoft’s apology

#27

Post by sree_nair » Thu, Dec 17, 2009, 3:22 PM UTC

Tichy wrote: post #9

They should consider paying Microsoft instead, for the free marketing they received. I had all but forgotten about Plurk before this, and for many people, this incident might be the first time they heard about Plurk.

Totally agree. This is the first time I have heard of them. And They could use this publicity to good use rather than hanging on to the issue.

Re: Plurk’s official response to Microsoft’s apology

#28

Post by srj532 » Thu, Dec 17, 2009, 3:23 PM UTC

whalesalad wrote: post #11

First of all, like most of the people on HN I too agree these guys are getting a little sappy. Give it a rest and stop crying. This all sounds like the new American dream to me, wait for someone to create an accident and take advantage of it by suing the pants off of them. Your company is worthless, so you're going to sue Microsoft to make your millions? Second... Plurk won't let me sign up with a MobileMe email addr…

I agree. The new American dream... I hope that I am a victim someday... er... wait, according to society we are all already victims... let me start over. I hope and dream that someday I am the victim of a wealthy perpetrator so that I can sue them and become rich.

Re: Plurk’s official response to Microsoft’s apology

#29

Post by sree_nair » Thu, Dec 17, 2009, 3:23 PM UTC

So, What do you guys want microsoft to do now?. Can you tell us what is the ideal response you expect from microsoft ?.

Re: Plurk’s official response to Microsoft’s apology

#30

Post by srj532 » Thu, Dec 17, 2009, 3:24 PM UTC

motters wrote: post #25

It seems strange to me that although Microsoft is the company at fault here many of the commentators seem to be basically praising Microsoft and blaming/deriding the guys whose code was plagiarized.

Microsoft did not steal the code. an Employee or contractor did. They, the individual(s) that stole the code is who is guilty here. As soon as Microsoft was made aware of the situation they pulled the offending code/software immediately.