Will Facebook sue Google for copying Facebook UI?

By Amrutha Gayathri | July 03 2011 12:45 AM

If you are one of those who have already signed up for Google's hot social networking venture Google+, you would know why there is a reasonable ground for Facebook to sue Google. Google+'s UI (User Interface) is a direct copy of Facebook.

In an almost similar case, Apple chose to sue Samsung for imitating the look and feel of iPhone and iPad. Rather than innovate and develop its own technology and a unique Samsung style for its smart phone products and computer tablets, Samsung chose to copy Apple's technology, user interface and innovative style in these infringing products, the Apple lawsuit said.

Sure, Google+ did introduce unique features like Circles, and Hangout video chat. Also there are differences in the way you invite friends and so on. But the main page of Google+ or the Stream looks exactly like Facebook's News Feed. The way elements are arranged on the Google+ is closely reminiscent of Facebook. Compare for yourself:

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It's hard to guess what Mark Zuckerberg's next move will be. In an apparent effort to retain Facebook users from exporting their friends lists to Google+ and setting up their online social hub there, Facebook CEO and founder Zuckerberg has said that the company is set to launch something awesome next week, without divulging what exactly is that awesome something. There have also been reports suggesting that Zuckerberg has signed up for Google +, though the authenticity of the Google+ profiles under his name remains unverified. People won't be surprised if the next hot news about Google+ is a lawsuit filed against it by Zuckerberg.

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