Baidu, the biggest search engine in China, is taking legal action against app developers and Apple Inc because of fake copies of its Ernie bot app on the Apple app store. Ernie is an artificial intelligence-powered chatbot that Baidu launched last month, and it’s considered China’s closest version to the US-created ChatGPT chatbot.
Baidu said it’s suing the developers behind the counterfeit Ernie bot apps and Apple in Beijing Haidian People’s Court. Baidu warned that any Ernie app on the App Store or other stores is fake until the company makes an official announcement. There are still at least four fake apps with the Chinese-language name of the Ernie bot on the Apple App Store.
Fake apps and software are a serious issue for companies. They can hurt the company’s reputation, steal intellectual property, and harm its market share. Fake applications can also harm users by installing malware, stealing personal information, and exposing them to online scams.
The increasing use of chatbots and AI-powered applications has created new opportunities for companies to improve customer experience, but it has also created new challenges in protecting intellectual property, ensuring data privacy, and fighting against counterfeit products.
Baidu’s legal action highlights the importance of protecting intellectual property and ensuring the quality of software applications. Companies must take proactive measures to protect their intellectual property and prevent the spread of counterfeit products.
Finally, Baidu’s legal action against fake Ernie bot apps and Apple reminds us of the importance of protecting intellectual property and ensuring the quality of software applications in the digital age. As the use of AI and chatbots becomes more widespread, it’s crucial that companies take steps to safeguard their intellectual property, protect their customers, and ensure the integrity of their products.