In a Monday afternoon statement, Microsoft said that it is looking into the allegations that its earlier-this-month-launched beta of microblogging site, MSN Juku, in China has lifted the code and interface of Canada’s Plurk – a start-up rival service popular in parts of Asia.

According to the allegations that have been made public by Plurk, MSN Juku – which has recently debuted in China as a way for users to post 140-character messages on a scrolling timeline interface - has copied Plurk’s site design and underlying code.

While Microsoft claims that MSN Juku is a “local innovation developed by MSN China...based on Windows Live Messenger networks,” local Chinese media has already commented on the unmistakably similar ‘look and feel’ of Plurk and MSN Juku; with one comment even saying that MSN Juku is a “bandit” version.

Accusing Microsoft of using more than 80 percent of its code, without permission, Plurk said on its blog: “Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery, but blatant theft of code, design, and UI elements is just not cool, especially when the infringing party is the biggest software company in the world.”

Further adding that it is still evaluating what to do in the case, Plurk said: “As a young startup, we're stunned, shocked, and unsure what to do next and need your support and suggestions.”