Baidu, one of China’s largest search engine companies, has taken legal action against Apple and certain app developers for creating and distributing fake versions of its Ernie bot app, which was launched in March 2023. Ernie bot is an artificial intelligence-powered chatbot that is touted as China’s closest alternative to the US-developed ChatGPT chatbot. The chatbot has gained widespread popularity in China for its advanced language processing capabilities and ability to engage in natural language conversations.
Baidu has accused the app developers and Apple of violating its intellectual property rights by creating and distributing counterfeit versions of its Ernie bot app. The company claims that the fake apps have caused confusion among consumers and have damaged its reputation as a leading provider of artificial intelligence technology.
Baidu has confirmed that it has filed lawsuits against the developers responsible for the fake Ernie bot applications, as well as against Apple, in Beijing Haidian People’s Court. The company has also posted a photograph of its court filing on its official WeChat account. In a statement, Baidu warned users that until the company makes an official announcement, any Ernie bot app available on the App Store or other app stores is fake.
Moreover, Baidu cautioned people against purchasing access codes to the genuine Ernie bot, as the chatbot is presently only accessible to users who apply for and receive access codes. Baidu has stated that no official app for Ernie exists at present, and any app claiming to be the official version is fake. However, a Reuters investigation revealed that several counterfeit Ernie bot apps still exist in Apple’s App Store, despite Baidu’s warning.
The legal battle between Baidu and Apple highlights the growing concerns over intellectual property theft in China’s rapidly expanding technology industry. The case also underscores the importance of protecting intellectual property rights in the age of advanced technology and artificial intelligence.
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