Photo App Sues Facebook for Plagiarism

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Bankrupt photo app Phhhoto has filed a lawsuit against Facebook (now Meta). According to Phhhhoto, the tech giant has copied its app.

In the indictment, Phhhoto writes that Facebook/Meta expressed an interest in collaborating with the makers of the photo app. However, they then copied the app’s features for Instagram and allegedly hid the name of the Phhhoto app in search results from its own networks, bankrupting the competing app.

Photo’s technology allows users to capture five images in a single point-and-shoot motion. These are then mounted in a clip. The concept was launched on Instagram in 2015 as ‘Boomerang’.

It would, of course, not be the last time that Facebook ‘borrows’ functions for its own platforms. Also, see just about all Snapchat features. What is new is that there is also an indictment. The makers of Phhhhoto base the charge in part on documents released in the British Parliament in an investigation into abuse of power at Facebook. This should show, among other things, that Facebook does not shy away from some distortions of competition and buying up or otherwise trampling on competing companies.

Phhhhoto launched its app in 2014 and closed it again in 2017. At its peak, the app had about 3.7 million monthly active users. The company is seeking a jury trial and an undisclosed amount of damages.