Google is being sued by Buysafe, a secure online transaction provider, which claims that Google maliciously extracted its business information and is now rolling out a technology based on that information.

According to Buysafe, Google’s Trusted Stores program is modeled after Buysafe and has been built using the information of a executive previously employed by a Buysafe partner, which held “extensive” discussions with Buysafe and obtained substantial business information as a result.

Buysafe’s claims are covered by a patent the company filed in 2003 and received in early 2010. Entitled “Safe transaction guarantee” the document describes safe transactions without the use of escrow or bond procedures. According to the allegations mentioned in the lawsuit, Google previously sought to enter a partnership or Jointventure with Buysafe in 2006 and 2008, but the negotiations were unsuccessful. Buysafe noted that Trusted Stores has only seen a limited rollout so far, but it was enough to slow down the company’s growth already.

In a spicy twist, Buysafe also accuses Google of luring Buysafe customers away by confirming that their participation will have a positive effect on how their company surfaces in search results and even offered customers free service if they switch from Buysafe.

Buysafe is asking to be awarded triple damages as well as a ruling that will prevent Google from using and fully rolling out Trusted Stores.

SOURCE via MJ