Facebook and Studivz: legal dispute settled

The two social media platforms Facebook and Studivz have settled their legal dispute. Facebook had accused the German network Studivz of copying the source code and basic design of Facebook. Both companies now want to withdraw their respective claims in the USA and Germany, according to Netzzeitung.ch in a press release. The two networks will continue to operate their sites unchanged. However, Facebook will receive a payment of an undisclosed amount from Studivz. No further details were disclosed.
In 2008, Facebook went to court in the USA. This April, the US network also filed a lawsuit against Studivz in Cologne. Studivz responded with an action for a declaratory judgment. The Cologne court dismissed Facebook's action for injunctive relief as they could not find any unfair competition despite the great similarities. Facebook had announced an appeal against the ruling.