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We've been f..... by China: Gates (Microsoft)
smh.com.au ^

Posted on 09/06/2005 8:10:31 PM PDT by maui_hawaii

Former Microsoft executive Kai-Fu Lee has accused the software giant of incompetence in its plans to gain a business footing in China, and testified that an expletive-filled tirade from chairman Bill Gates was a low point before he defected to rival Google.

In testimony during a hearing on Microsoft's lawsuit against Lee and Google, Lee said on Tuesday he wrote a memo to another Microsoft executive saying he was "deeply disappointed at our incompetence in China - that we have wasted so many years in China with little to show for it."

Lee went on to say in the email that he was embarrassed by Microsoft's business practices and that people in the government joked about Microsoft's internal politics. But he didn't provide any details in his testimony on Tuesday about what exactly frustrated the Chinese government.

He testified that one of the lowest moments of his career with Microsoft was a conversation in which Gates yelled at him and said the company had been "f-----" by the Chinese people and its government. Lee did not clarify the context of Gates' comments.

Lee also complained that Microsoft had more than 20 business groups operating virtually autonomously in China, with little cohesion.

Among other problems, Lee said, was a commitment Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer made in 2002 to outsource $US100 million ($A130 million) in jobs to China. Within the last year, after it had become clear that they weren't fulfilling this promise, Lee said he was put in charge of outsourcing jobs to China.

Microsoft spokeswoman Stacy Drake said she could not immediately comment on the testimony.

Lee, who worked at Microsoft from 2000, joined Google in July to lead the company's expansion into China.

Redmond-based Microsoft has sued Google and Lee, who is known for his work on computer recognition of language, a key problem in search technology. Microsoft contends that Lee's duties would violate the terms of an agreement he signed as part of his Microsoft employment contract. Microsoft also accused Lee of using insider information to get his job at Google.

Google denies the allegations and has counter-sued Microsoft.

Microsoft attorneys sought Tuesday's hearing before King County Superior Court Judge Steven Gonzalez to restrict what work Lee could do for Google until the lawsuit goes to trial in January.

Microsoft said Lee used insider information to get himself at job at Google in violation of an agreement.

In approaching Google about a job, Lee sent an email stating, "I am currently the corporate vice-president at Microsoft working on areas very related to Google," said Microsoft lawyer Jeff Johnson.

"He was saying, 'Look what I did at Microsoft and look what I can do for you,'" Johnson said Monday at a hearing before King County superior sourt judge Steven Gonzalez.

Lee, who had worked at Microsoft from 2000, joined Google in July to lead the company's expansion into China.

Attorneys for Google said in court on Tuesday that much of what Lee knew about the Chinese market came from his previous work experience at Apple Computer and other companies, and that Microsoft was exaggerating the extent of his work for Microsoft on China.

Microsoft has sued Google and Lee, who is known for his work on computer recognition of language, a key problem in search technology. The Redmond company contends that Lee's duties would violate the terms of an agreement he signed as part of his Microsoft employment contract.

Google denies the allegations and has counter-sued Microsoft.

At Tuesday's hearing, Microsoft lawyers sought to restrict what work Lee could do for Google until the larger case goes to trial in January.

Johnson alleged that Lee - while still on Microsoft's payroll - went so far as to send Google a paper he had written for Microsoft about the Chinese market and that he also made recommendations to Google about other people the company might want to employ.

John Keker, a lawyer for Google, argued that recruiting was not a violation of the agreement because it specified only that Lee could not take part in activities that were competitive with products, services or projects he worked on at Microsoft.

The case has illuminated the behind-the-scenes bitterness between the two rivals. Court documents released last week said Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer, in an obscenity-laced tirade over another employee having been hired away by the search company, threw a chair and vowed to "kill" Google .

Ballmer called the characterisation of his response a "gross exaggeration."


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Foreign Affairs; Technical
KEYWORDS: billgates; chicoms; china; convictedmonopoly; google; incompetence; lowqualitycrap; microsoft; microsoftchina; msn; sellingoutamerica
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1 posted on 09/06/2005 8:10:36 PM PDT by maui_hawaii
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To: maui_hawaii

I don't like MS for their products, I don't like Google for their politics, and I don't like Apple for Steve Jobs.

Are there any decent computer companies?


2 posted on 09/06/2005 8:14:09 PM PDT by SteveMcKing ("I was born a Democrat. I expect I'll be a Democrat the day I leave this earth." -Zell Miller '04)
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To: ShadowAce

going to trial


3 posted on 09/06/2005 8:14:13 PM PDT by stainlessbanner
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To: TigerLikesRooster

pong


4 posted on 09/06/2005 8:14:43 PM PDT by nuconvert (No More Axis of Evil by Christmas ! TLR) [there's a lot of bad people in the pistachio business])
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To: SteveMcKing
And we all know Carly needed to go...

After that list I don't know who is left...

5 posted on 09/06/2005 8:15:12 PM PDT by maui_hawaii
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To: SteveMcKing

I think Michael Dell is a decent guy and you can also use a non Microsoft OS on your computer and never have to worry about virsues and spy and adware.


6 posted on 09/06/2005 8:17:34 PM PDT by JimDingle (Give Dingle a Jingle)
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To: maui_hawaii
He testified that one of the lowest moments of his career with Microsoft was a conversation in which Gates yelled at him and said the company had been "f-----" by the Chinese people and its government. Lee did not clarify the context of Gates' comments.

I know! I know! His Billness is simply charmed with China's sterling track record at guarding intellectual property in law. Not. There is so much pirated Windows and Microsoft stuff in China it would be funny if it weren't sad. Yeah, even though Linux *is* better.

7 posted on 09/06/2005 8:18:24 PM PDT by The Red Zone (Florida, the sun-shame state, and Illinois the chicken injun.)
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Comment #8 Removed by Moderator

To: SteveMcKing

Well don't try IBM. They have taken a successful laptop (Thinkpad)product and flushed it down the toilet. Sold the line to China and the maintenance on existing contracts has gone to India. They can't get parts in a timely fashion, and then can't get them delivered. Seems India doesn't understand the importance of such things as Suite # in an address. Held one of my laptops hostage for $700 and said it was abuse. We had an extra 2 year contract on that laptop. I asked for a description of the abuse and never received any information. Just pay the money and shut up.


9 posted on 09/06/2005 8:19:49 PM PDT by w1andsodidwe (Jimmy Carter allowed radical Islam to get a foothold in Iran.)
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To: maui_hawaii
"f-----" by the Chinese people and its government.

Same thing a future president might be saying in the not too distant future.

10 posted on 09/06/2005 8:20:19 PM PDT by neodad (Rule Number 1: Be Armed)
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To: maui_hawaii
The British textile manufacturers once believed that if they could add 1/4 inch to each China man's hem their mills would run nonstop forever. The lure of the market size blinds western business men, their lack of ethics opens their eyes. The sooner Gates and his ilk realize that China will say, do or promise anything to get what they want the sooner we will be able to deal on our terms.
11 posted on 09/06/2005 8:20:40 PM PDT by Natural Law
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To: SteveMcKing
Are there any decent computer companies?

There are some small independents left. But as far as the biggies go, no.

12 posted on 09/06/2005 8:20:48 PM PDT by MrsEmmaPeel
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To: SteveMcKing
Don't know enough to really comment on the article, but what I do know is Microsoft's search engine is crap compared to Google. I bet the one of only reasons it ever gets used is because msn.com is the default homepage on Internet Explorer when Windows is installed.

I've seen so many people use the MS search engine for no apparent reason while google is far superior. Just like any other Microsoft product they depend on user ignorance of what else is out there, and assume that people will use their stuff because that's what Windows/new computer came with.
13 posted on 09/06/2005 8:23:29 PM PDT by KoRn
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To: Natural Law

Trade wise history is repeating itself to some extent...The feelings are the same, except we aren't selling opium....


14 posted on 09/06/2005 8:23:32 PM PDT by maui_hawaii
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To: neodad

The world is dog eat dog... its best to be the former, not the latter.


15 posted on 09/06/2005 8:24:38 PM PDT by maui_hawaii
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To: maui_hawaii
Why would China want to do business with Microsoft when they make a fortune on the black market pirating the software. You waste your time trying to play fair with crooks.
16 posted on 09/06/2005 8:26:24 PM PDT by TheForceOfOne (The alternative media is our Enigma machine.)
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To: SteveMcKing

Apple. Forget about Steve Jobs, the company makes great products.


17 posted on 09/06/2005 8:27:47 PM PDT by Terpfen (Liberals call the Constitution a living document because they enjoy torturing it.)
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To: maui_hawaii
"f-----" by the Chinese people and its government

LOL, nice to Billy boy get some after he done it to countless others.

18 posted on 09/06/2005 8:30:27 PM PDT by benjaminjjones
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To: w1andsodidwe
(Thinkpad)product and flushed it down the toilet

I didn't understand that move at all.

19 posted on 09/06/2005 8:31:57 PM PDT by benjaminjjones
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To: maui_hawaii

Bookmark


20 posted on 09/06/2005 8:31:58 PM PDT by RATkiller (I'm not communist, socialist, Democrat nor Republican so don't call me names)
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