Where a number of social media networks are springing all over the web, Pinterest is notable among the very few who have not only enticed millions of users but continue to grow. A lawsuit launched against the founder of Pinterest, Brian Cohen, now alleges that the idea for the website was stolen.
The suit has been launched by Theodore Schroeder who worked with Brian Cohen during the years 2007 and 2008. During this time, Schroeder launched two websites, both of which more or less failed. These websites include Rendezvoo and Skoopwire.
Schroeder claims that the ideas which were behind both these websites were more or less the same as were implemented in Pinterest by Cohen later. For instance, the lawsuit’s filing cites, Rendezvoo was meant to ‘connect things that mattered to a user with other users.’ It then compares that Pinterest is precisely the manifestation of the very same idea.
Representing Schroeder, Attorney Richard Scheff commented on the lawsuit as thus, “The bottom line is that it’s illegal to steal an idea for your own benefit without regard to the originator of that idea. Here, Mr. Cohen joined an existing enterprise in which Mr Schroeder had a majority interest, and then took without permission or right Mr. Schroeder’s ideas, concepts, web application and technology.”
Pinterest, on the other hand, has fervently denied the allegations and has vowed to fight them in the court. From the looks of it, Schroeder’s claim is indeed premised on thin ice, based on a slight resemblance between Pinterest and what he claims to be his ideas.
Courtesy: Electronista
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