Comments on: Chinese Facebook Clone Xiaonei Raises $430 Million http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/chinese-facebook-clone-xiaonei-raises-a-staggering-430-million/ Startup and Technology News Wed, 09 Jul 2008 07:15:35 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: notes, thoughts, ideas and responses » Xiaonei raised enough money to hold down the Chinese market, possibly eliminating Facebook as a competitor in the future http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/chinese-facebook-clone-xiaonei-raises-a-staggering-430-million/#comment-2248956 notes, thoughts, ideas and responses » Xiaonei raised enough money to hold down the Chinese market, possibly eliminating Facebook as a competitor in the future Fri, 02 May 2008 10:24:43 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/chinese-facebook-clone-xiaonei-raises-a-staggering-430-million/#comment-2248956 [...] idea if they plan on keeping their distance and remain on the road long enough to make the turn. Chinese Facebook clone Xiaonei raised $430 million and currently services 8.8 million active users. Xiaonei may consider purchasing a sharp set of [...] [...] idea if they plan on keeping their distance and remain on the road long enough to make the turn. Chinese Facebook clone Xiaonei raised $430 million and currently services 8.8 million active users. Xiaonei may consider purchasing a sharp set of [...]

]]> By: Paul http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/chinese-facebook-clone-xiaonei-raises-a-staggering-430-million/#comment-2248219 Paul Fri, 02 May 2008 07:38:04 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/chinese-facebook-clone-xiaonei-raises-a-staggering-430-million/#comment-2248219 Can Facebook not make anything for this copy? Clearly, it`s a copy. Where do the copiers get the source code? There are criminal collaborator of Facebook? Can Facebook not make anything for this copy? Clearly, it`s a copy. Where do the copiers get the source code? There are criminal collaborator of Facebook?

]]> By: a fair person http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/chinese-facebook-clone-xiaonei-raises-a-staggering-430-million/#comment-2247841 a fair person Fri, 02 May 2008 06:04:26 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/chinese-facebook-clone-xiaonei-raises-a-staggering-430-million/#comment-2247841 to those who are saying china is copying off of the rest of the world: hey man, the world is at where it is today because of globalization. right now american goods are popular, so china copys off of US. american ipods, gangster rap, facebook, etc.. a thousand years ago, when the chinese first invented printing, gunpowder, compass, the westerners copied off of china. im sure we've all learned in school that westerns used to go to china to buy silks and porcelains. so, after all, no big deal. to those who are saying china is copying off of the rest of the world:

hey man, the world is at where it is today because of globalization.

right now american goods are popular, so china copys off of US. american ipods, gangster rap, facebook, etc..
a thousand years ago, when the chinese first invented printing, gunpowder, compass, the westerners copied off of china. im sure we’ve all learned in school that westerns used to go to china to buy silks and porcelains.

so, after all, no big deal.

]]> By: What's Wrong with C2C? | The China Vortex http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/chinese-facebook-clone-xiaonei-raises-a-staggering-430-million/#comment-2246884 What's Wrong with C2C? | The China Vortex Fri, 02 May 2008 01:39:29 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/chinese-facebook-clone-xiaonei-raises-a-staggering-430-million/#comment-2246884 [...] Twitterdom in China was on fire with the news, first published on TechCrunch, that Facebook clone Xiaonei had raised US$430M from Softbank, which is huge, even by current Web [...] [...] Twitterdom in China was on fire with the news, first published on TechCrunch, that Facebook clone Xiaonei had raised US$430M from Softbank, which is huge, even by current Web [...]

]]> By: Pandrogas http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/chinese-facebook-clone-xiaonei-raises-a-staggering-430-million/#comment-2244670 Pandrogas Thu, 01 May 2008 17:38:59 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/chinese-facebook-clone-xiaonei-raises-a-staggering-430-million/#comment-2244670 More proof that the Chinese will do whatever the Chinese want to do economically. Sure it's a copy of the FaceBook design, but seriously, what FaceBook really do about it? (Hey look! A sit-and-spin!) @58: Eventually the country will open up bit by bit. Blogging and various other sites on the internet have begun to demonstrate that. The problem is that change is hard to force and I have no doubt that some people will be black bagged for stuff they write or say. But saying no to every opportunity to voice your opinions and criticisms is even worse than being black bagged because you play right into the hands of the regime. Slightly counter-intuitive to survival instincts, but nobody ever made an omelet without breaking a few eggs. More proof that the Chinese will do whatever the Chinese want to do economically. Sure it’s a copy of the FaceBook design, but seriously, what FaceBook really do about it? (Hey look! A sit-and-spin!)

@58: Eventually the country will open up bit by bit. Blogging and various other sites on the internet have begun to demonstrate that. The problem is that change is hard to force and I have no doubt that some people will be black bagged for stuff they write or say. But saying no to every opportunity to voice your opinions and criticisms is even worse than being black bagged because you play right into the hands of the regime. Slightly counter-intuitive to survival instincts, but nobody ever made an omelet without breaking a few eggs.

]]> By: dolla http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/chinese-facebook-clone-xiaonei-raises-a-staggering-430-million/#comment-2244358 dolla Thu, 01 May 2008 16:37:13 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/chinese-facebook-clone-xiaonei-raises-a-staggering-430-million/#comment-2244358 Is that USD??? Is that USD???

]]> By: Et http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/chinese-facebook-clone-xiaonei-raises-a-staggering-430-million/#comment-2244317 Et Thu, 01 May 2008 16:28:08 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/chinese-facebook-clone-xiaonei-raises-a-staggering-430-million/#comment-2244317 Honestly a Chinese Facebook clone is worst for the Chinese, than for Facebook. A central place where people seems to write way too much about themselves than they should, under a repressive regime... How many will be identified or locked up because of what they wrote on Xiaonei? This is China were talking about, not America where privacy laws and freedom of speech pretty much protects us from a lot of things. Anyone else sees this as a disaster waiting to happen? Honestly a Chinese Facebook clone is worst for the Chinese, than for Facebook. A central place where people seems to write way too much about themselves than they should, under a repressive regime…
How many will be identified or locked up because of what they wrote on Xiaonei?
This is China were talking about, not America where privacy laws and freedom of speech pretty much protects us from a lot of things.
Anyone else sees this as a disaster waiting to happen?

]]> By: law http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/chinese-facebook-clone-xiaonei-raises-a-staggering-430-million/#comment-2244308 law Thu, 01 May 2008 16:26:24 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/chinese-facebook-clone-xiaonei-raises-a-staggering-430-million/#comment-2244308 While I think that it is a blatant copy, does it really matter? There are tons of people that copy others all over the world, including in the us. The difference with the US is in general, the markets are saturated, so you HAVE to usually to something innovative in order to stay ahead of the game. In China (and India), there are many products and services that do not exist or do not work for whatever reason, so someone copies it. At some point, when there's saturation in their markets, you'll see more innovation. Until then, it's so much safer and economical to just see what works here and to try it out there. While I think that it is a blatant copy, does it really matter? There are tons of people that copy others all over the world, including in the us. The difference with the US is in general, the markets are saturated, so you HAVE to usually to something innovative in order to stay ahead of the game. In China (and India), there are many products and services that do not exist or do not work for whatever reason, so someone copies it.

At some point, when there’s saturation in their markets, you’ll see more innovation. Until then, it’s so much safer and economical to just see what works here and to try it out there.

]]> By: Ivan http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/chinese-facebook-clone-xiaonei-raises-a-staggering-430-million/#comment-2243489 Ivan Thu, 01 May 2008 13:31:36 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/chinese-facebook-clone-xiaonei-raises-a-staggering-430-million/#comment-2243489 Can you say "Chin Chin". Take that Zuckerberg. LOL Can you say “Chin Chin”.

Take that Zuckerberg. LOL

]]> By: Wongmaster http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/chinese-facebook-clone-xiaonei-raises-a-staggering-430-million/#comment-2243316 Wongmaster Thu, 01 May 2008 12:53:22 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/chinese-facebook-clone-xiaonei-raises-a-staggering-430-million/#comment-2243316 Funny how all these brain dead PRC supporters come out of the wood work when china is mentioned. It's pretty pathetic when these guys always defend anything chinese even when what they do is wrong or dirty. Congratulations for being proud of copying, theft, poison food, unsafe baby toys, etc - you make your country proud. Funny how all these brain dead PRC supporters come out of the wood work when china is mentioned. It’s pretty pathetic when these guys always defend anything chinese even when what they do is wrong or dirty. Congratulations for being proud of copying, theft, poison food, unsafe baby toys, etc - you make your country proud.

]]> By: Sachin http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/chinese-facebook-clone-xiaonei-raises-a-staggering-430-million/#comment-2243088 Sachin Thu, 01 May 2008 12:02:42 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/chinese-facebook-clone-xiaonei-raises-a-staggering-430-million/#comment-2243088 @Bobby (7, 25) on a lighter note...actually the whole 'ripping off saga' began in america...does the name microsoft ring a bell?:P now given their success...can u blame anyone for ripping off ideas:D one a more serious note: yes copying ideas sucks...but the bit about there being no innovation on the web outside america? lets talk in 5 years:) @Bobby (7, 25)

on a lighter note…actually the whole ‘ripping off saga’ began in america…does the name microsoft ring a bell?:P
now given their success…can u blame anyone for ripping off ideas:D

one a more serious note: yes copying ideas sucks…but the bit about there being no innovation on the web outside america? lets talk in 5 years:)

]]> By: Peter http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/chinese-facebook-clone-xiaonei-raises-a-staggering-430-million/#comment-2242968 Peter Thu, 01 May 2008 11:32:46 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/chinese-facebook-clone-xiaonei-raises-a-staggering-430-million/#comment-2242968 Maybe they needed the $430m for a redesign =0) Maybe they needed the $430m for a redesign =0)

]]> By: 9ice http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/chinese-facebook-clone-xiaonei-raises-a-staggering-430-million/#comment-2242368 9ice Thu, 01 May 2008 09:15:06 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/chinese-facebook-clone-xiaonei-raises-a-staggering-430-million/#comment-2242368 when do we get to see a chinese version of Obama? when do we get to see a chinese version of Obama?

]]> By: Igor The Troll http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/chinese-facebook-clone-xiaonei-raises-a-staggering-430-million/#comment-2242206 Igor The Troll Thu, 01 May 2008 08:36:54 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/chinese-facebook-clone-xiaonei-raises-a-staggering-430-million/#comment-2242206 Ha, Ha! You better be nice to China because it will start cloning humans soon! Then all of you will be obsolete! Today one billion people tomorrow 2 billion people! Ha, Ha! You better be nice to China because it will start cloning humans soon!
Then all of you will be obsolete!

Today one billion people tomorrow 2 billion people!

]]> By: christiney35 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/chinese-facebook-clone-xiaonei-raises-a-staggering-430-million/#comment-2242184 christiney35 Thu, 01 May 2008 08:31:03 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/chinese-facebook-clone-xiaonei-raises-a-staggering-430-million/#comment-2242184 Can we say that the investment also encourages people to make a clone? I feel disgust at the site, but I also feel very bad at those who invest in Oak Pacific Interactive. Can we say that the investment also encourages people to make a clone? I feel disgust at the site, but I also feel very bad at those who invest in Oak Pacific Interactive.

]]> By: Mogilny http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/chinese-facebook-clone-xiaonei-raises-a-staggering-430-million/#comment-2242173 Mogilny Thu, 01 May 2008 08:28:23 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/chinese-facebook-clone-xiaonei-raises-a-staggering-430-million/#comment-2242173 @Shame Don't be a shame. I think most of these Chinese identities are not doing this because they are lazy, they do it because they are smart. Why not copy a business that is successful and apply it to some place new? Also, people forget that it was only 20 years ago when China really opened up to the world. It will take time before they can have real innovation. @Shame Don’t be a shame. I think most of these Chinese identities are not doing this because they are lazy, they do it because they are smart. Why not copy a business that is successful and apply it to some place new? Also, people forget that it was only 20 years ago when China really opened up to the world. It will take time before they can have real innovation.

]]> By: Rendell http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/chinese-facebook-clone-xiaonei-raises-a-staggering-430-million/#comment-2242162 Rendell Thu, 01 May 2008 08:25:58 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/chinese-facebook-clone-xiaonei-raises-a-staggering-430-million/#comment-2242162 This is what you get with no real unique selling points (FB). The idea is easy to copy to the tee. The same thing would not work with Google, because the real competitive advantage is under the hood, so to speak. FB needs to go that way, too. This is what you get with no real unique selling points (FB). The idea is easy to copy to the tee.

The same thing would not work with Google, because the real competitive advantage is under the hood, so to speak. FB needs to go that way, too.

]]> By: snyggast http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/chinese-facebook-clone-xiaonei-raises-a-staggering-430-million/#comment-2242143 snyggast Thu, 01 May 2008 08:22:15 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/chinese-facebook-clone-xiaonei-raises-a-staggering-430-million/#comment-2242143 @ 38 you need to check out patent filings for china and compare it to the U.S. or Germany. http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/ipstats/en/statistics/patents/images/patent_report_2007_6.gif @ 38

you need to check out patent filings for china and compare it to the U.S. or Germany.

http://www.wipo.int/export/sit.....2007_6.gif

]]> By: Shame http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/chinese-facebook-clone-xiaonei-raises-a-staggering-430-million/#comment-2242064 Shame Thu, 01 May 2008 08:03:24 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/chinese-facebook-clone-xiaonei-raises-a-staggering-430-million/#comment-2242064 Being a Chinese I feel horrible when I see such a site. With the icons being the same, I bet they're copying the scripts too. I thought view source is a way to protect people like us from malicious scripts, but I can't believe people exploit it to this level. Being a Chinese I feel horrible when I see such a site. With the icons being the same, I bet they’re copying the scripts too. I thought view source is a way to protect people like us from malicious scripts, but I can’t believe people exploit it to this level.

]]> By: Mogilny http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/chinese-facebook-clone-xiaonei-raises-a-staggering-430-million/#comment-2242059 Mogilny Thu, 01 May 2008 08:02:40 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/chinese-facebook-clone-xiaonei-raises-a-staggering-430-million/#comment-2242059 @Real world - Zucky might have "stolen" an idea, but these people CLONED an existing website. Is this "great for competition"? I don't think so. Ideally, companies that compete with each other do their independent development and have their own ideas. Clones are almost always a few steps behind. They only eat up market share of genuine companies. Facebook --> $15 billion Facebook Chinese Clone --> $1 billion Rockyou -> $0.5 billion Rockyou Chinese Clone -> around $30 million? Who wants to start a startup if they are going to support 3rd party apps? :) An aside, 2007 detriot auto show. http://ca.autos.yahoo.com/p/568/chinese-car-clones Pathetic. @Real world - Zucky might have “stolen” an idea, but these people CLONED an existing website. Is this “great for competition”? I don’t think so. Ideally, companies that compete with each other do their independent development and have their own ideas. Clones are almost always a few steps behind. They only eat up market share of genuine companies.

Facebook –> $15 billion
Facebook Chinese Clone –> $1 billion
Rockyou -> $0.5 billion
Rockyou Chinese Clone -> around $30 million? Who wants to start a startup if they are going to support 3rd party apps? :)

An aside, 2007 detriot auto show.

http://ca.autos.yahoo.com/p/568/chinese-car-clones

Pathetic.

]]> By: Real world http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/chinese-facebook-clone-xiaonei-raises-a-staggering-430-million/#comment-2241878 Real world Thu, 01 May 2008 07:16:41 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/chinese-facebook-clone-xiaonei-raises-a-staggering-430-million/#comment-2241878 #42 "Chinese will realize that copying is not the same as inventing." .. old argument... they said the same about japan in the 80s... i bet you like your playstation, HDTV (where did that come from?) .. hey at Samsung (south korea) they have more patents per year than probably any US company (probably close to IBM)... cloning facebook? zucky has his owns legal problems for having copied the model himself. Stay objetive, this is great for competition.. we would not want a global monoploy would we? 40# amen #42 “Chinese will realize that copying is not the same as inventing.” .. old argument… they said the same about japan in the 80s… i bet you like your playstation, HDTV (where did that come from?) .. hey at Samsung (south korea) they have more patents per year than probably any US company (probably close to IBM)…

cloning facebook? zucky has his owns legal problems for having copied the model himself.

Stay objetive, this is great for competition.. we would not want a global monoploy would we?

40# amen

]]> By: big man http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/chinese-facebook-clone-xiaonei-raises-a-staggering-430-million/#comment-2241780 big man Thu, 01 May 2008 06:47:59 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/chinese-facebook-clone-xiaonei-raises-a-staggering-430-million/#comment-2241780 i like the ladies i like the ladies

]]> By: True American http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/chinese-facebook-clone-xiaonei-raises-a-staggering-430-million/#comment-2241779 True American Thu, 01 May 2008 06:47:49 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/chinese-facebook-clone-xiaonei-raises-a-staggering-430-million/#comment-2241779 Just shows that China doesn't have any original ideas. All Chinese economic growth over the past decades is built on American ideas. Their current anti-American policies are destroying the head which feeds them. Once America turns into a third world country and it's output of innovation is gone, Chinese will realize that copying is not the same as inventing. Just shows that China doesn’t have any original ideas. All Chinese economic growth over the past decades is built on American ideas. Their current anti-American policies are destroying the head which feeds them. Once America turns into a third world country and it’s output of innovation is gone, Chinese will realize that copying is not the same as inventing.

]]> By: grah! http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/chinese-facebook-clone-xiaonei-raises-a-staggering-430-million/#comment-2241759 grah! Thu, 01 May 2008 06:42:34 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/chinese-facebook-clone-xiaonei-raises-a-staggering-430-million/#comment-2241759 @14 Xi You are correct. This post is misleading.. To clarify again, OPI raised the $430m and owns more than just Xiaonei. Also has raised some $60m since 02. @14 Xi

You are correct. This post is misleading..

To clarify again, OPI raised the $430m and owns more than just Xiaonei. Also has raised some $60m since 02.

]]> By: Lelia Katherine Thomas http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/chinese-facebook-clone-xiaonei-raises-a-staggering-430-million/#comment-2241740 Lelia Katherine Thomas Thu, 01 May 2008 06:36:13 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/chinese-facebook-clone-xiaonei-raises-a-staggering-430-million/#comment-2241740 It's amusing that a Facebook clone can fuel nationalistic pride for both sides. Can't we just all get along? There are heros and assholes everywhere. It’s amusing that a Facebook clone can fuel nationalistic pride for both sides. Can’t we just all get along? There are heros and assholes everywhere.

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