Google (GOOG) has apologized for incorporating proprietary third-party information from Chinese web portal Sohu.com (SOHU) into one of Google's latest search engine product offerings.

Sohu says that it has never published its Sougou.com pinyin input database, nor has it authorized Google to use the database. Local media reports that Sohu expressed anger for Google's using of the database without Sohu's prior approval and has asked Google to make a public apology and stop the infringement. Sohu says that it reserves the right to take further action against Google if it fails to do accordingly.

In response to Sohu's announcement, Google admits that it has included some data which doesn't belong to itself in its own input database and apologized for the inconvenience brought.

Following the announcement, Google has upgraded its inputting database for a second time and the new database contains all info it has collected over years through its search engine.