Ex- Microsoft Top Executive Sued over Joining Google

Microsoft is suing former vice president Kai-Fu Lee for violating his confidentiality and non-compete agreement by agreeing to head up Google Inc.’s new research center in China, the world’s largest software maker said on Tuesday.

"As a senior executive, Dr. Lee has direct knowledge of Microsoft’s trade secrets concerning search technologies and China business strategies," the software giant said in a statement.

Microsoft claimed Lee’s position at its search rival is "focused on the same set of technologies and strategies for a direct competitor in egregious violation of his explicit contractual obligations."

"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," the company added.

Microsoft tapped Lee in 1998 to establish a research and development center in Beijing. Google has announced a new facility in China later this year but has not decided on a final location.

"There was no effort by Dr. Lee or Google to try and work out any kind of agreement," Deputy General Counsel said. "The combination of those factors meant that we really had no choice but to file this suit to protect our confidential information."