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Microsoft Sues Google For Hiring MS Exec

Posted by timothy on from the promises-promises dept.

bonch writes "So it begins...Microsoft is suing Google for wooing away a top executive to work in a China research lab. Microsoft is accusing Kai-Fu Lee of breaking his contract by taking a job within a year of leaving Microsoft, and accused Google of 'intentionally assisting Lee.' Google describes the claims as 'completely without merit' and vows to defend against them."

6 of 720 comments (clear)

  1. Wait a minute... by Punboy · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Since when can a company control whether or not you get to get another job? Could this mean that companies could FORBID you from ever getting another job? Or at least prevent you from getting another job for a longer period of time? I'm asking because some companies might use this as "incentive" to keep people from quitting, particularly game programmers who are overworked and frankly, underpaid.

    --
    If you like what I've said here, and want to read more, go to http://www.krillrblog.com
    1. Re:Wait a minute... by Tongo · · Score: 5, Interesting

      I had to sign one of these for my current job. It's called a non-competition agreement or something like that. Basically mine said that I could not work in a related field for 180 days within 80 miles. I'm sure different companies have different requirements.

      Companies use them to protect IP or to prevent your from running of with their existing client base.

      I've hear rumors that they aren't legally binding though. If all your trained to do is code, your old company can't prevent you from making a living.

  2. Lawsuit on Google? by someonewhois · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Shouldn't it be the employee that gets the lawsuit? They were the ones who broke the contract? Not Google? I mean, yes, I read the article, but wouldn't it make more sense to just sue the person, not try and make up random claims?

    Sure, they want to attack Google in all ways they can, but seriously... this just seems stupid.

  3. Re:This makes M$ seem by DaHat · · Score: 5, Interesting

    If you want to talk about such actions... I suggest you look up Alienation of Affection. It's only still useable in a few states (South Dakota being one of them (where I live)) and has to be one of the coolest and yet most ridiculous concepts still on the books.

    In short, it is based on the concept that a wife is property of her husband, and if another man should 'steal' the wife from the husband and cause her to wish to be with him, leading to the end of the existing marriage, the (former) husband has legal standing to sue the other man for taking his wife.

    Brilliant eh?

    In most states where this concept exists (or more often existed), it has been thrown out by judges hearing such cases in recent years, so it's existence is quite endangered.

    Why do I mention this? Simple, the example you made as a joke believe it or not has some legal standing.

    --
    Help Brendan pay off his student loans
  4. Slightly O/T 'non-competition'... by saderax · · Score: 5, Interesting

    At my job (a small company of 11 people), I was recently informed that we would be renegotiating contracts. I was then handed a 16 page document and told if I did not sign it, I would be fired.

    Nestled deep among the fine print of this document I discovered the following gems:

    • I cannot use a computer for two years after I leave.
    • The contract never expires.
    • Anything I do on my computer, at my own home, on my time, belongs to the company.
    • If I get another job on a computer, I have to notify them, and the company has a right to send my new employer a copy of the contract.
    My boss says I'm reading it wrong, its all legal speak, and its just a friendly contract. He also claims every business will make me sign the same thing. Is this legal? I've received a lot advice. Some say to quit, some say its unenforcable, and I should sign it, etc.

    So far I have not signed it (so I can leave and compete all I want...), but cannot find a job to leave this company for. Should I sign it? Is anyone hiring a web programmer in the Tampa, FL area?

    1. Re:Slightly O/T 'non-competition'... by yerM)M · · Score: 5, Interesting
      Here is what I did:

      Scratch out (draw lines through) the items you don't like and initial them and sign the bottom pages (all of them). Make a notorized copy and hand the contract back. There is a good chance it will be counter-signed without anyone looking over the contract.

      Remember, this is a CONTRACT, you are free to make changes that you see fit.