Google accused of code copying
Affinity Engines, which provides software for on-line social
networks, has sued Google, alleging that some of the source code
used in Google's orkut.com network has been developed or derived
from Affinity's, reports Wired News.
Affinity Engines, which provides software for on-line social
networks, has sued Google, alleging that some of the source code
used in Google's orkut.com network has been developed or derived
from Affinity's, reports Wired News.
Still in the testing stage, Google launched the invitation-only
orkut network quietly in January, explaining that it had been
developed by software engineer Orkut Buyukkokten during the 20% of
working time that he, like all Google employees, is allowed to
devote to personal interests.
But Buyukkokten previously launched Affinity Engines with a
fellow Stanford graduate and Affinity claims to have found nine
software bugs in its own products that are also present in
Google's. The presence of identical bugs in rival products is often
used as evidence in code copying cases.
Affinity is seeking damages and royalties for the
allegedly-stolen source code, although Google's director of
corporate communications, David Krane said the claims are without
merit. He told Wired in an e-mail: "We have repeatedly offered to
allow a neutral expert to compare the codes in the two programs and
evaluate Affinity's claims, but Affinity has rejected that
offer."
