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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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Facebook and Rival Settling Origins Lawsuit

ConnectU had accused Zuckerberg of filching social network ideas

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(Newser) – Pending lawsuits between Facebook and rival social networking site ConnectU will be settled, a source tells the New York Times. The founders of ConnectU accused Mark Zuckerberg of stealing their ideas back when both sites were in their infancy, and the Facebook CEO filed a countersuit against his former Harvard classmates. Terms of the settlement haven't been disclosed.

Twins Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss and friend Divya Narendra had hired Zuckerberg to work on their campus dating site in 2003, and say Zuckerberg dragged his feet on that job while diving into the creation of TheFacebook.com. While Facebook skyrocketed to success, ConnectU is virtually unknown. A Facebook spokeswoman confirmed that motions to dismiss the suits will be filed soon.

After months of legal wrangling with ConnectU, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has reason to smile again now that a settlement between the networking sites is in the works.
After months of legal wrangling with ConnectU, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has reason to smile again now that a settlement between the networking sites is in the works.   (Associated Press)
Former Harvard classmates accused Mark Zuckerberg of stealing their ideas when he created Facebook, the site that made him a billionaire.
Former Harvard classmates accused Mark Zuckerberg of stealing their ideas when he created Facebook, the site that made him a billionaire.   (Associated Press)
Twin brothers Cameron, left, and Tyler Winklevoss, founders of ConnectU, talk with reporters following a news conference in Boston, Wednesday, July 25, 2007.
Twin brothers Cameron, left, and Tyler Winklevoss, founders of ConnectU, talk with reporters following a news conference in Boston, Wednesday, July 25, 2007.   (Associated Press)
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Facebook • Mark Zuckerberg • lawsuit • ConnectU • settlement • Harvard • Cameron Winklevoss • Tyler Winklevoss • Divya Narendra

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