Microsoft Begins Legal War Against Google

Online staff -- Electronic News, 7/20/2005

Just as Microsoft settled a number of high profile lawsuits, the technology giant is at it again; this time filing Tuesday against former executive Dr. Kai-Fu Lee and his new employer Google for alleged breach of an employee confidentiality and non-compete agreement.

Lee, previously corporate VP of Microsoft’s Natural Interactive Services Division, accepted a position with Google to lead their China R&D center, which Google announced just prior to Microsoft filing suit.

In a statement on its website, Microsoft said it is, “asking the Court to require Dr. Lee and Google to honor the confidentiality and non-competition agreements he signed when he began working for Microsoft.”

Further, Microsoft said, “Creating intellectual property is the essence of what we do at Microsoft, and we have a responsibility to our employees and our shareholders to protect our intellectual property.”

“As a senior executive, Dr. Lee has direct knowledge of Microsoft’s trade secrets concerning search technologies and China business strategies,” the statement continued.

“He has accepted a position focused on the same set of technologies and strategies for a direct competitor in egregious violation of his explicit contractual obligations,” Microsoft added.

Lee will serve as VP of engineering and president of Google China.

The Google China R&D center is expected to open in Q3, as proof of the company’s commitment to attracting and developing Chinese talent, as well as partnering with local universities and institutes.

Google also believes the opening of an R&D center in China will strengthen its efforts in delivering the best search experience to users and partners worldwide.

Alan Eustace, VP of engineering at Google said, “Under the leadership of Dr. Lee, with his proven track record of innovation and his passion for technology and research, the Google China R&D center will enable us to develop more innovative products and technologies for millions of users in China and around the world.”

“It has always been my goal to make advanced technologies accessible and useful to every user, as well as to be part of the vibrant growth and innovation in China today,” Lee commented.

“Joining Google uniquely enables me to pursue both of my passions and I look forward to returning to China to begin this exciting endeavor,” he added.

Lee is widely known for his pioneering work in the areas of speech recognition and artificial intelligence, founded Microsoft Research China in the late 1990s. Prior to joining Microsoft, Lee was a VP and general manager at Silicon Graphics Inc., responsible for Internet and multimedia software.

Lee also spent six years at Apple, serving as VP of the company's interactive media group, and before that was an assistant professor at Carnegie Mellon University.

Google’s quarterly financials results are expected Thursday.
 
The companies could not be reached for further comments.