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Microsoft's Bing in travel trouble

Unflattering imitation?

Gavin Clarke Thu 25 Jun 2009 // 23:10 UTC

Microsoft's Bing has run in to trouble for allegedly looking too much like a smaller rival's search service.

Kayak.com, an airline search engine, has complained to Microsoft that the look and feel of Bing's travel service looks too much like its own, and that this will confuse users.

"We have contacted them through official channels about concerns about the similarities between Bing and Kayak," Kayak's chief marketing officer Robert Birge reportedly told Wired.com "From the look and feel of their travel product, they seem to agree with our approach to the market."

A Microsoft spokeswoman confirmed the company has been contacted by Kayak.com.

"We are discussing the matter with Kayak. Bing Travel is based on independent development by Microsoft and Farecast.com, which Microsoft acquired in 2008. Any contrary allegations are without merit," the spokeswoman told The Reg.

You can check out Bing Travel and Kayak and draw your own conclusions. ®

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