搜狗和腾讯因输入法闹上法庭

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Sogou, is a Chinese input software developed by the Chinese Internet giant Sohu in 2006, its easy-to use and everyday-based updating of its word database soon became a favorite amount internet users. Its chief executive Zhang Chaoyang claims 7 out of 10 computers in China have its Sogou Chinese input software installed, just after 3 years when it first came out, its dominant state amount the huge market is almost unshakable.

But alone with dominance, comes challenge. One of Sohu's biggest domestic competitor, Tencent has developed their own Chinese input software and wanted a share of the market from Sohu's domain.

The wordless battle between the rivalry went on for some time, and finally broke into a lawsuit.

In June this year, Sohu appealed to Beijing's 2nd Intermediate People's Court, charging Tencent and their QQ Chinese input software with unfair competition.

"If a user already has Sogou installed on their computer, and is trying to install a version of the QQ Chinese input, the QQ program will automatically delete the Sogou input from the shortcut list during the process of installing."

Representative of Sogou says the behavior has being on going since 2007 and claim Tencent's move made them to take legal action. However, Tencent's representative begs to differ while stating the case.

"What we've done is to leave the choices of input software to the users, if the users think it is a good software to use, they can leave it on their computers, and for the ones of their lesser satisfactions, they have the privilege to delete it."

In the appealing, Sohu is charging Tencent for a compensation of 20 million Yuan. While that appeal has being put on hold for several month, the defendant, Tencent counter-sued Sohu for the same reason last week.

"Everyday at 4 o'clock, sogou Chinese input software will set a pop up window and eventually delete the defendant's QQ Chinese input software installed on the same computer."

The Tencent representative says this appeal is directly towards Sohu's accusation early this year. So direct, they are asking the same amount of compensation at 20 million Yuan. Sohu representative says this action is more of a public relationship stunt other than a serious law suit.

"Maybe they're trying to find a balancing point psychologically, to put some pressure on plaintiff, whatever they're trying to do, we are prepared to deal with it."

Beijing's 1st intermediate people's court has accepted the appeal, and both cases are being holding hearings presently.

Both Sohu and Tencent are companies trying to expand their business stake on the internet. Their fight over a Chinese input software may not in fact result in increased business, but the market share earned over the multi-law suit event could eventually effect their company development.

The situation now is somehow chaotic and full of uncertainties, two internet giants are facing off against each other and the courts will decide the victor.

From China Drive, I'm Yajie.