Comments on: Judge grants Microsoft request in Google case

Temporarily bars former Microsoft executive from performing any duties at Google similar to those he performed at Microsoft.

[ajbright]

Empire Strikes Back

As a previous Microsoft employee, it should be Microsoft's decision who he gets to work for.

It makes sense, otherwise people would just quit their jobs and work for anyone willy nilly.

I bet some bleedy heart liberal comes along and says that people should be free to leave a company, even if they don't have a grievance.

If this lankmark case for Employer Rights had failed, I forsaw an era where people were free to choose their own futures, regardless of the harm done to their benevolent masters.

I mean supposing the guy stole Microsoft's IP and used it against them.

Thank god this was stopped, or within years Google could have produced a competing search engine and put poor Microsoft out of business..

[unknown unknown]

RE:

If your post was ment as sarcasm please ignore the following.

"As a previous Microsoft employee, it should be Microsoft's decision who he gets to work for."

Restrictions are placed on that ability (even more so in CA) and the employee must sign an agreement.


"It makes sense, otherwise people would just quit their jobs and work for anyone willy nilly."

The only case that is of concern to Microsoft is when the workers new job carries a risk using Microsoft's IP or sharing trade secrets with competitors. I don't think most people would up an quit a job paying as well as Mr.Lee's with a good reason.

"I mean supposing the guy stole Microsoft's IP and used it against them."

That would be a rather expensive mistake on his part and on that of his employer.

Comming soon...Return of the Capitalist

How is it not fair for an employee to work for whoever he chooses? If you believe in capitalistic, free-enterprising, unrestrained competitive economies, then this must hold for employees as well as employers. After all, employers are free to dump employees anytime under the guise of outsourcing, downsizing, layoffs, whatever. It looks like a double standard to me.

[volterwd]

Shouldnt M$

have filed this in china if hes going to work there?

[mortis9]

yes and no.

even though both companies are based in the United States they have overseas operations, and China, and its respective market, are notorious for not respecting US intelectual property. As such, I wouldn't be suprised if Google attempted to exploit this by continuing with the hiring and placement of Dr. Lee in China.

[powerclam]

This is just wrong

Doesn't anyone recall when MS put a "Come Work For Us" billboard in front of Borland's headquarters?
So MS thinks they can poach, but nobody else can?

[the.wake]

reply

"So MS thinks they can poach, but nobody else can?"

That statement has been raised elsewhere and I think it's because Borland employees hadn't signed such 'noncompete agreements' that Microsoft could get away with it.

[qazwiz]

excelent example

this shows M$ activity towards poaching and if they, the borland people, had to sign non-compete shows its hyprocracy in not allowing the jump back


documentation of this is needed