SAN JOSE: Internal emails show that executives at tech companies including Apple and Google believed that a legal contract to avoid poaching each other's workers would bring real financial benefits, a US judge said.
Five former employees of assorted tech companies have filed a civil lawsuit against Apple, Google, Intel as well as others, alleging an illegal conspiracy to reduce competition per other's employees.
At a hearing in San Jose, California federal court, US District Judge Lucy Koh also ordered Apple Leader Tim Cook being questioned by plaintiff attorneys for four hours.
Koh must decide regardless of if the lawsuit can proceed as a class action, which could provide the plaintiffs more leverage to extract a large settlement. Koh asserted right at that moment no-poaching agreements were forged, top executives felt a collective approach toward hiring was better than coping with employees individually.
Five former employees of assorted tech companies have filed a civil lawsuit against Apple, Google, Intel as well as others, alleging an illegal conspiracy to reduce competition per other's employees.
At a hearing in San Jose, California federal court, US District Judge Lucy Koh also ordered Apple Leader Tim Cook being questioned by plaintiff attorneys for four hours.
Koh must decide regardless of if the lawsuit can proceed as a class action, which could provide the plaintiffs more leverage to extract a large settlement. Koh asserted right at that moment no-poaching agreements were forged, top executives felt a collective approach toward hiring was better than coping with employees individually.
