Baidu sues Apple over fake copies of its Ernie chatbot

Chinese search engine giant Baidu recently filed lawsuits against Apple Inc and relevant app developers over fake copies of its Ernie bot app on Apple’s app store. 

Baidu's Ernie bot is an artificial intelligence-powered chatbot launched last month and is touted as China's closest answer to the American ChatGPT. Baidu has posted a statement on its official "Baidu AI" WeChat account stating that it does not have any official app for the Ernie bot and that all such apps available on the App Store or other stores are fake. 

Baidu has warned people against buying access codes and posted a photograph of its court filing. Despite the filing of the lawsuit, a Reuters search revealed that there are still at least four apps bearing the Chinese-language name of the Ernie bot on Apple's App Store. 

This recent development has raised several questions about the protection of intellectual property rights, especially in the field of artificial intelligence. The development of the Ernie bot was a significant achievement for Baidu and China, and the company has invested considerable time and resources in its development. 

However, the availability of fake Ernie bot apps on the App Store is not only damaging to Baidu's reputation, but it is also unfair to the company's investment in the development of this technology. This lawsuit is also an indication of the increasing competition in the field of artificial intelligence, with companies investing heavily in the development of chatbots and virtual assistants. 

The Ernie bot was developed as a response to the American ChatGPT, which has become increasingly popular worldwide. The development of artificial intelligence chatbots has significant potential in several sectors, including healthcare, education, and customer service. Therefore, it is essential to protect the intellectual property rights of companies that invest in the development of these technologies. 

The availability of fake apps on the App Store is also a significant concern for consumers who may inadvertently download such apps, leading to security breaches and other issues. It is essential to create more robust mechanisms to detect and remove fake apps from app stores to protect consumers from such risks. 

In conclusion, the lawsuit filed by Baidu against Apple Inc and relevant app developers is a significant development that highlights the importance of protecting intellectual property rights in the field of artificial intelligence. It is essential to create a more robust system to detect and remove fake apps from app stores to protect consumers and prevent unfair competition. The development of chatbots apps and virtual assistants has significant potential in several sectors, and it is crucial to protect the investments made by companies in the development of these technologies.

Written By

Manish Content Strategist

With a mixture of literature, cinema, and photography, Manish is mostly traveling. When he is not, he is probably writing another tech news for you!

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