The startup Minitap has accused Google of violating open-source license requirements in its Artemis project. According to Minitap CEO Nicolas Dehandtschawercker, Google integrated code, prompt designs, and test cases from the open-source mobile-use project without proper attribution.
Minitap claims that Google copied core implementation details, including Android device connectivity and WhatsApp automation tasks. The startup alleges that Google removed original author identification during a commit in August, obscuring the source of the code.
Following the public accusations, Google updated the Artemis project to include a statement acknowledging the use of Minitap source code. Minitap argues that this admission confirms the initial failure to comply with the Apache 2.0 license, which mandates retaining copyright notices.
The dispute also involves concerns over the AndroidWorld benchmark rankings. Minitap reports that its own test results remained stagnant, while the Google-maintained Artemis project received updates that placed it at the top of the leaderboard, raising questions about fairness.
Minitap notes that its current proprietary system has evolved significantly since the open-source version was released. The company estimates that the design concepts currently utilized by Google in the Artemis project lag behind Minitap's internal technology by approximately seven months.
