Sohu now threatens a lawsuit against Google over their Pinyin Input Method Editor
April 10th, 2007 Leave a comment Visited 47 times, 1 so far today
Sohu now threatens a lawsuit against Google over their Pinyin Input Method Editor
Sohu.com Inc. has now threatened that they would file a lawsuit against the US based search engine giant Google if they continue violating its intellectual property rights.
They have asked Google to stop offering downloads of their recently launched Google Pinyin IME which they claim is based in parts on their intellectual property.
Google has already issued an apology saying they had mistakenly picked up some parts from the Sohu’s owned code. Sohu said in a statement: “We are very sorry that a leading U.S. company like Google, which comes from a country that respects intellectual property rights, has exhibited a complete disregard for intellectual property in China. We demand Google stop infringing on Sogou Pinyin Input Method Editor (IME) intellectual property and cease downloads and the operation of Google Pinyin IME, otherwise we will bring legal charges against Google.”
Google is yet to comment on these latest threats from the Chinese company. They have already made changes to its dictionary over the weekend trying to remove the infringing content.
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April 12th, 2007 at 05:18 pm
Perhaps a Chinese company angry about its own IP rights would provide good impetus for the Chinese government to raise their $50,000 bar on infringement damages. If Sohu really wants their injunction, let them fight the case. Google could just stand their ground and move on from a lost lawsuit while giving Chinese companies disappointed with the low payoff of IP suits in China a call to urge their government to provide stronger IP rights for those pesky foreigners who are so concerned about the guy selling knock-off DVDs from a suitcase. If Google is scared off by this threat of “legal charges,” and is not motivated by pure public relations goodwill, I do not understand Chinese law enough to understand why, legally, Google should be afraid of a good fight in Chinese court. Any insights would be appreciated.