Data interoperability initiatives such as Google's OpenSocial and Facebook Connect are supposed to make the web one giant place of shared information, but a lawsuit from one website is claiming that things aren't so bright and cheery on the open web.
Power.com, a site that lets users log in to multiple social networks from one hub, is suing Facebook, claiming that the social network is blocking Power.com users from accessing Facebook content and trying to monopolize the social networking landscape, according to The New York Times.
Power.com lets users access their accounts on MySpace, Twitter, LinkedIn, and other social networks, but users can no longer access their Facebook data. Facebook filed suit against Power.com in January, claiming copyright and trademark infringement, as well as unlawful competition. Facebook seems to be sending the message that while it will work to share content with other websites, the only way to access Facebook is by logging on to the main website.
Power.com once had 8 million users, but only 14,000 people visited the site in June, according to the Times. Power claims Facebook has done "irreparable damage" to its users and business.
