This is incredible. Have there been any other documented cases where a MSFT,GOOG,etc. has been caught stealing code red handed?
Microsoft rips off Plurk
91–100 of 141 posts
Re: Microsoft rips off Plurk
#92Re: Microsoft rips off Plurk
#93Earlier quoted context omitted.
So, how does this work? Will everything be fine if they maintained the same look and feel and intentionally obfuscated/added more junk to their code to make the code look different?
Look and feel is really hard to pin down legally. It's similar to the fashion industry. You just can't copyright a design -- and that is why there are so many knockoffs. But that's just how it is in the design industry -- new designs come out quickly, so it's usually not worth the effort to fight knockoffs.
You just can't copyright a design -- and that is why there are so many knockoffs.
That's because design is an area covered by trademark, not copyright. You can trademark a design if it's distinctive or innovative enough, at least in the U.S., and have protection from imitation. You don't even have to register a trademark to establish rights, you can declare your rights simply by using the (TM) symbol, although you do have to register in order to defend the rights in federal court or claim international protection.
http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/basics/register.jsp
From a whois check on their domain name, however, Plurk Inc. appears to be Canadian. Anyone have details on the what differences there are in the Canadian trademark system?
Re: Microsoft rips off Plurk
#94Earlier quoted context omitted.
I just started working for Microsoft so that I can be a voice inside the company for startups. I'm forwarding this thread to my legal contact.
Cool, I hope you keep visiting HN often to stay in touch with the start up scene here.
You can count on it!
Re: Microsoft rips off Plurk
#95Re: Microsoft rips off Plurk
#96Earlier quoted context omitted.
Here's some more info: http://jf.posterous.com/after-5-years-of-using-linux-and-mac...
Joel sounds like he's replacing Don Dodge.
I was not hired to replace Don Dodge. I was hired because the person who previously held my role moved internally.
I actually don't know much about Don Dodge - I haven't met him yet. All that I know is that he is well liked and respected.
I can only hope to earn a similar level of respect from the startup community.
Re: Microsoft rips off Plurk
#97Re: Microsoft rips off Plurk
#98Earlier quoted context omitted.
Microsoft actually tries to enforce the policy of "you shouldn't read Open Source code". For example, they block access to Sourceforge from the Microsoft campus.
That is totally false. There are no restrictions of any kind on the Microsoft network in general (apart from your standard virus/malware/firewall type stuff). I've synced code for my projects from sourceforge/google code/github often.
So if I may ask--how to use sourceforge/google code/github without looking at open source? Perhaps you are contributing without reading?
Re: Microsoft rips off Plurk
#99Not condoning MS, but does anyone else find it ironic that a chinese company is accusing MS of piracy?
Your comment is both funny, and correct! At least, I think so.
But I seem to understand that here, that type of humor seems to be discredited even if its insightful (especially if its not).
Re: Microsoft rips off Plurk
#100Being the co-founder and lead dev of Plurk I can tell you this sucks :-( But we are looking at our legal options, thought legal war with Microsoft and especially legal war at Microsoft in China would require a lot of resources. I think this will become a major concern for all startups that are doing lots of client-side stuff. If people have determination they can copy your code (even if all your code is obfuscated, w…
Just curious, have you guys tried reaching out to Microsoft at all to get this resolved before going public with it?
Microsoft didn't seem to have a problem with going quite public with it.