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Contractor accuses Google of idea rustling

A Google contractor thinks the search ad company stole his idea for Google Sky, a popular addition to the Google Earth product.

Jonathan Cobb believes Google took his idea. He would like to take $25 million as compensation for giving Google the idea for Google Sky.

"Whether you’re an astronomer or stargazer, Sky in Google Earth brings millions of stars and galaxies to your fingertips," touted Google about the compelling views Sky provides for Google Earth users. Sky debuted in August 2007.

An InformationWeek report said Cobb claimed to have "presented, advanced, and refined the Google Sky concept and idea" beginning in 2006, via an internat Google Groups discussion.

"Defendant Google took the concepts and ideas originally presented by Plaintiff and, without any notice or credit being extended to Plaintiff, used them as its own," the report said in citing the complaint. "...Such actions represent a violation of Defendant Google's publicized corporate motto 'Do No Evil.' "

It isn't the only lawsuit Google will have to defend. A patent infringement lawsuit filed in the Eastern District of Texas claimed Google and Microsoft took liberties with a "Paid Search Engine Bid Management" patent owned by Paid Search Engine Tools LLC.

Microsoft and Google lawyers in the same courtroom? That should be fun to watch.