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."
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?
going to trial
pong
After that list I don't know who is left...
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.
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.
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.
Same thing a future president might be saying in the not too distant future.
There are some small independents left. But as far as the biggies go, no.
Trade wise history is repeating itself to some extent...The feelings are the same, except we aren't selling opium....
The world is dog eat dog... its best to be the former, not the latter.
Apple. Forget about Steve Jobs, the company makes great products.
LOL, nice to Billy boy get some after he done it to countless others.
I didn't understand that move at all.
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