The battle between Microsoft and Google appears to outgrowing the mere non-compete violation and solidifying itself as a permanent rivalry.
Earlier today, John Battelle made a post about how Microsoft had filed a 26-page document to support their injunction filing against Google’s hiring of Microsoft engineer Dr. Kai-Fu Lee. The document contained a great deal of information designed to show Google’s hiring of Dr. Lee violated an existing non-compete form signed by Dr. Lee during his Microsoft employment.
It did not take long for Google to respond to Microsoft’s injunction, which they did by filing a rebuttal. In their filing to counter Microsoft’s claim, Google states Dr. Lee would not be working in any of the areas covered by the non-compete form in question. It also says the injunction was filed not to delay the hiring of Dr. Lee but to delay Google’s entrance into the Chinese search market (Dr. Lee would be heading a newly announced Google facility located in China).
The blows didn’t stop there, however, in the rebuttal, Google goes on to say, “Microsoft’s refusal to allow Dr. Lee to recruit (for Google) is based on a fear of competition….by its own admission, Microsoft is behind in the development of internet search technologies…” Based on these filings and the contents within, I think it’s safe to assume there won’t be any pleasantries exchanged this Christmas between Google and Microsoft.
Battelle also reveals the injunction and Google’s response is being heard today in a Washington state court.
Chris Richardson is a search engine writer and editor for murdok. Visit murdok for the latest search news.
