Microsoft takes Round 1 vs. Google
Seattle PI | at | by Mike
Microsoft yesterday won a judge's order that may temporarily keep a high-ranking executive who defected to rival Google Inc. from doing the job he was hired for.
Citing Microsoft's fear that its trade secrets could be revealed, King County Superior Court Judge Steven Gonzalez ruled that Kai-Fu Lee, hired by Google to establish and run its China research and development effort, can't be asked to undertake any activities that would compete with projects he handled at Microsoft.
In a three-page order, Gonzalez also said Lee can't disclose trade secrets to Google, and he must return any Microsoft materials he still has.