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Lawsuit claims Facebook copied app's technology, drove it out of business

The defunct photo app Phhhoto claims Facebook took its features to create the Boomerang.

Lawsuit claims Facebook copied app's technology, drove it out of business

Meta is facing an antitrust lawsuit.

Photo: Thiago Prudencio/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Meta, previously Facebook, is being sued by a now-defunct app for allegedly taking its technology and using it to create Instagram's Boomerang feature, The Verge reported.

Phhhoto is alleging Meta pretended to show interest in partnering with the company, then proceeded to take its features and keep its name out of search results. A Meta spokesperson said the lawsuit lacks merit and "we will defend ourselves vigorously."

The antitrust suit centers around Phhhoto's technology, which allows users to create a short video — almost like a quick-moving photo — called a phhhoto. The app says Facebook copied that feature and introduced it on Instagram as Boomerang, which Phhhoto called a "slavish clone" in the lawsuit.

The app claims the move drove it out of business, and it's now asking for a jury trial and monetary damages.

Sarah Roach

Sarah (Sarahroach_) writes for Source Code at Protocol. She's based in Boston and can be reached at sroach@protocol.com

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