King County Superior Court in Seattle recently issued a temporary restraining order that prevents Google from hiring former Microsoft executive Kai-Fu Lee.

The temporary order, effective until a hearing will be held, bars Kai-Fu Lee from engaging in competing work with Microsoft in Google. Microsoft said it was gratified with the court's order.

On July 28 the King County Superior Court opened trial of Microsoft's lawsuit against Google and Kai-Fu Lee. Microsoft wrote in filing that Dr. Lee was well paid in exchange for the non-competing promises. "He has received...well over $3 Million since he returned to Microsoft in August of 2000, including more than $1 Million in 2004 alone." Microsoft regard the non-competing agreement and promises Lee made as conditions for his high payment. Moreover Microsoft thinks Lee holds sensitive information regarding its search engine business and China strategy. Microsoft says Dr. Lee attended a "highly confidential" meeting in March, attended only by executives, entitled "The Google Challenge." So Microsoft requests the court to issue the restraining order preventing Lee from working in Google.

Google filed a counter lawsuit against Microsoft on July 21 in California.

By People's Daily Online