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Judge grants Microsoft request in Google case

A judge has temporarily barred a former Microsoft executive hired by Google from performing any duties at the search giant similar to those he performed at Microsoft.

Washington state Superior Court Judge Steven Gonzalez on Thursday granted Microsoft's request for a temporary restraining order to prevent Kai-Fu Lee from violating his noncompete agreement.

Google announced on July 19 that it had hired Lee to lead a new research and development center in China and serve as president of its Chinese operations. Lee was previously a vice president at Microsoft and played a key role in its operations in China. He also led development of some of its search technologies, Microsoft's lawsuit claims.

Google and Lee claim that Lee would not be doing anything at Google that would compete with work he did at Microsoft, and Lee says he contacted Google and was not recruited.

Google and Lee were also barred from disclosing or misappropriating any trade secrets or proprietary information obtained while Lee worked at Microsoft and from destroying any documents or data that relate to Lee's employment at the companies.

Gonzalez also barred Microsoft from destroying relevant documents and ordered the company to post $1 million security to be used to pay for Google and Lee's costs and damages if it is determined the temporary restraining order was wrongfully granted.

Separately from the restraining order, the judge scheduled a trial date of Jan. 9, a Microsoft spokeswoman said.

This isn't the only legal headache for Google. A former Google sales executive has sued the company, alleging that it engaged in job discrimination while she was pregnant with quadruplets.

Resource: News.com

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