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."
:D
Oh yeah, I forget, that there are people who use Apples who aren't flaming hippies, who think they are changing the world just because they are Apple users. Sorry about that!
I need to get out of California!
A man of his character is to be regarded with deep suspicion. Google beware.
Unfortunately, there are no "new ideas" or innovation that comes out of China. Just copy, copy, copy!
Me Chinese, me pray joke! Me stear flom you tirr you go broke!!!
Yes, Apple gear always costs more. But it works, out of the box, guaranteed, first time. You don't have to call Bangalore and argue about drivers and versions all day. That's why everyone bought an iPod when they wanted an MP3 player.
Like the Lenovo laptops that will continue to be best sellers, even now that they will no longer be called "ThinkPad"? Like the pebble-bed nuclear reactor that can be mass-produced? Chinese "copies" are about to change our lives in a number of unexpected ways.
And give me copy, copy, copy any day over sue, sue, sue!
Bill is really confused..
Must be the fault of living in the Peoples Democracy of Washington... and of course the GUILT of being rich... and having more money than brains.. The Chinese are not confused at all..
China PING
Umm. Ok.
What goes aroud, comes around.
That's why the Apple Store sells refurbished items, right?
And what's to work or not to work about a $30 piece of elastic that they call an armband?
Sometimes they ask me what I think. My answer - "The only way to make money out of China is to sell opium".
Doesn't make me popular. But so far I've been proven right.
Exactly. While your Dell Virusbox will have a resale value of snakespit from the first time you use it, Apple gear tends to hold its value until it gets obsoleted by newer technology.
" Back away from the keyboard.....hands over your head....you are under arrest for tertiary stupidity!!
You win the cupie doll!!!!
If that isn't a sollution then get a different internet browser that won't conflict with your programs.
Anyone who trusts the Chinese gets what he deserves.
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