 |
New Articles |
Microsoft Admits Juku Messaging Based on Partially Stolen CodeAh, there is nothing is so fascinating as corporate embarrassment. In this case, Microsoft has admitted that its Juku messaging systems is using some stolen code from another company! Copyright is legal concept that has seen more action because of the web than probably the previous couple of hundred years it has existed thanks to people "borrowing" information. The one company that uses this area of law to stop software pirates in their tracks is Microsoft. This is more than justified since you can buy everything from fake Windows to Outlook programs on just about any site selling anything. Given its militant attitude regarding copyright, you can imagine the red cheeks at the company when the big M was confronted with the fact one of its programs used massive amounts of code stolen from another company! The Microsoft program in question is called Juku. Never heard of it? This isn't surprising. It is an instance messaging system released into the Chinese market. Alas, a Canadian company called Plurk [yes, Plurk] realized the program functioned in a suspiciously familiar way as its own messaging program. The company looked into the code and was shocked to see it incorporated as much as 80 percent of their work! Upon being contacted with the complaint, one might have expected Microsoft to go on the attack as it so often does. Well, it didn't. The software giant ran an investigation into the software. The investigation apparently revealed evidence pointing to an outside vendor that was charged with developing the software in question. When confronted with the evidence, the vendor admitted that the code had been swiped from Plurk. Microsoft has publicly apologized for the misuse of the Plurk code. It has terminated access to Juku while the code is removed and a redesign takes place. The vendor, as you might imagine, is in hot water. Microsoft has also indicated it has entered into discussions with Plurk to discuss possible resolutions to the situation. One can imagine that this just might include a cash payment and perhaps a license allowing the big M to use the technology of Plurk in Juku. Microsoft is often described as being very litigation oriented and unwilling to admit any shortcomings. This is one case, however, where it came correct and did the right thing. For that, it should be applauded. |
