Current:Home > InvestTwitter threatens legal action over Meta's "copycat" Threads, report says -FundGuru
Twitter threatens legal action over Meta's "copycat" Threads, report says
View
Date:2025-04-16 11:16:34
Twitter is threatening legal action over Meta's new social media service, Threads, with an attorney for Twitter describing as a "copycat" app allegedly developed by hiring former employees of the microblogging platform owned by Elon Musk and using the company's trade secrets, according to a letter posted by Semafor.
The letter's author, attorney Alex Spiro of law firm Quinn Emanuel, didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. Meta declined to comment on the letter, but communications director Andy Stone responded on Threads, writing, "No one on the Threads engineering team is a former Twitter employee — that's just not a thing."
Twitter, which laid off its communications staff after Musk completed his $44 billion purchase of the company last year, didn't respond to an email requesting comment.
The threatening letter comes after the debut of Threads on Wednesday, which within hours had signed up 30 million new users, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said Thursday on the new platform. Threads has a similar look to Twitter, allowing users to like or repost messages, but it is riding on the popularity of Instagram by allowing people on that platform to follow their current Instagram userbase.
"Our vision is to take the best parts of Instagram and create a new experience for text, ideas and discussing what's on your mind," Meta founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg said in an Instagram post after Threads was made available for download. "I think the world needs this kind of friendly community, and I'm grateful to all of you who are part of Threads from day one."
. @semafor exclusive: Elon's lawyer Alex Spiro sent a letter to Mark Zuckerberg threatening legal action, claiming that Meta hired former Twitter employees to create a clone https://t.co/Kqq1bwWgGw
— Max Tani (@maxwelltani) July 6, 2023
Musk, who bought Twitter last year, took aim at Threads in a tweet on Thursday, writing, "Competition is fine, cheating is not."
Threads' foray into the social media space comes at a precarious time for Musk and Twitter. Some Twitter users have expressed frustration with the latest changes instituted by Musk, who recently throttled the number of tweets that nonpaying users are able to view per day. Twitter has also seen a spike in hate speech since Musk bought the platform last year.
Competition is fine, cheating is not
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 6, 2023
In its letter, which was addressed to Zuckerberg, Twitter alleges that Meta hired "dozens of former Twitter employees" that had access to the company's "trade secrets and other highly confidential information." Spiro also claimed that Threads was built within months by tapping the knowledge of these ex-Twitter workers.
"Twitter has serious concerns that Meta Platforms has engaged in systemic, willful, and unlawful misappropriation of Twitter's trade secrets and other intellectual property," Spiro wrote.
Twitter plans to "strictly enforce its intellectual property rights," he added.
- In:
- Meta
veryGood! (5)
Related
- Head of the Federal Aviation Administration to resign, allowing Trump to pick his successor
- Ford pausing construction of Michigan battery plant amid contract talks with auto workers union
- Amazon invests $4 billion in Anthropic startup known for ChatGPT rival Claude
- The latest Apple Watches are coming to stores Friday, here's what to know
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Hi Hi!
- Former environment minister in Albania sentenced to prison in bribery case
- Pakistani raid on a militant hideout near Afghanistan leaves 3 militants dead, the military says
- Flooding in the Mexican state of Jalisco leaves 7 people dead and 9 others missing
- How to watch the 'Blue Bloods' Season 14 finale: Final episode premiere date, cast
- The premiere of 'The Golden Bachelor' is almost here. How to watch Gerry Turner find love.
Ranking
- Where will Elmo go? HBO moves away from 'Sesame Street'
- Joe Jonas Steps Out With Brother Nick After Reaching Temporary Custody Agreement With Ex Sophie Turner
- Dolphin that shared a tank with Lolita the orca at Miami Seaquarium moves to SeaWorld San Antonio
- Opponents of a controversial Tokyo park redevelopment file a petition urging government to step in
- Current, future North Carolina governor’s challenge of power
- Russian drone strikes on Odesa hit port area and cut off ferry service to Romania
- Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey rejects calls to resign, vowing to fight federal charges
- Missing toddler found 3 miles from Michigan home, asleep and using her dog as a pillow
Recommendation
Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
Inch by inch, Ukrainian commanders ready for long war: Reporter's notebook
South Korean opposition leader appears in court for hearing on arrest warrant for alleged corruption
Nicolas Kerdiles, former NHL player and onetime fiance of Savannah Chrisley, killed in motorcycle crash at age 29
Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
Whistleblowers who reported Texas AG Ken Paxton to FBI want court to continue lawsuit
Coast Guard searching for woman swept into ocean from popular Washington coast beach
Former President Jimmy Carter attends Georgia peanut festival ahead of his 99th birthday