DailyTech - Chinese Firms Rip off Google, YouTube with Site Clones

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Blog: Internet Chinese Firms Rip off Google, YouTube with Site Clones
Rebecca Lindsey - January 29, 2010 10:26 AM

8 comment(s) - last by inperfectdarkn.. on Feb 2 at 10:48 AM

The Goojje Logo: A shameless immitation? (Source: goojje.com)

YouTubecn looks awfully similar to its legitimate counterpart. (Source: YouTubecn.com)

Imitation websites emerge in the wake of tensions between Google and China

China, a country famous for its imitation products has done it again. Following the recent threats of Google to pull out of China, two remarkable knock-offs have emerged: Goojje and YouTubecn.

Xiao Xuan, one of the founders claims that Goojje has existed prior to the China/Google tensions, and points out that a significant amount of time would be required to build a website of Google’s caliber. Additionally, he explains that the name, Goojje, is actually a play on words. The second syllable of "Google" sounds like "older brother" in Mandarin, while the second syllable in "Goojje" sounds like "older sister."

Xiao also points out that Goojje is not so much a search engine as it is a "friend finder," and unlike copy-cat site YouTubecn, Goojje does not violate any censorship codes.

Many Chinese citizens are receptive to YouTubecn, a website which shows videos blocked on YouTube such as those portraying social unrest in China. In a conversation with The Christian Science Monitor, founder Li Senhe had this to say, "I did this as a public service."

With China’s National Copyright Administration’s (NCAC) focus shifting toward illegally run websites, many citizens are left wondering how long Goojje and YouTubecn will last. In the NCAC’s code of ethics issued this month, no mention of either website was made, and both websites are still working as of today. When asked about future imitation sites, Xiao suggested Facebook, which is also banned in China, would most likely be next.

Overall, many misspellings of Google.com and YouTube.com are taken up by search bar pages, but few are brazen enough to lift the actual look from the real sites.

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Why

By tviceman on 1/30/2010 1:13:16 PM , Rating: 3

If everyone and everything that was getting ripped off in China pulled their businesses, products, and services out of that country there would not be much left over in there besides the cheap knock offs like this.

Likewise, I guess there would be some big voids in the USA if China pulled everything out here as well. But at least companies out here can't get away with blatant rip offs like this or knowingly sell pirated copies of software/music/movies on store shelves.

RE: Why

By someguy123 on 1/30/2010 1:48:13 PM , Rating: 2

No one is willing to pull out because they are still profitable even with the blatant disregard for IP. It basically all comes down to profits.

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RE: Why

By BruceLeet on 1/30/2010 8:49:42 PM , Rating: 1

You might get yourself executed for posting that, assuming you're in China with the [out here] point.

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RE: Why

By CENGJINYIWEI on 1/31/10, Rating: -1

RE: Why

By Smartless on 2/1/2010 3:05:44 PM , Rating: 2

Or if you're on this forum, that kind of comment will earn you a troll salesman posting an ad. I mean seriously, they've invaded every forum.

In any case, the guy who made the sites was doing it as a "public service". Whatever the case, Goojje just isn't as catchy. lol.

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Really?

By utterbullspit on 1/31/2010 6:15:47 AM , Rating: 3

Well, no one should be surprised by the many knockoffs that are produced in that country. I mean, it's as if they're obligated to do it now. I wish China find they're own identity and stop ripping off other companies' products.

RE: Really?

By inperfectdarkness on 2/2/2010 10:48:33 AM , Rating: 2

if only we could be reassured that their weapons development was going to be as shoddy & cobbled together as their other attempts at knockoffs.

are we willing to bet our national security on it by canceling next-generation fighter programs? oh wait....

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