Paypal is suing Google.

[Collection King 13]

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-20066646-93.html?tag=cnetRiver

[rychehitman]

silly argument by Paypal

[Jesse321]

I would be happy to see other options besides Paypal grab as much attention in the marketplace.

[Vince-Vell]

Paypal is taking a page from the computer and phone companies, every time someone comes up with a new idea claim its stolen from their patent and sue them.

[nbr3bagshotrow]

Paypal is taking a page from the computer and phone companies, every time someone comes up with a new idea claim its stolen from their patent and sue them.

Well with two former Paypal execs going to Google there is some level of suspicion however, I can't believe these two individuals (who were at such a high level) really know all the details of the technology used at Paypal for their planned mobile phone payment processing system.

[rychehitman]

if paypal was so damned concerned about their "secret" leaving with their execs...then make the conditions for those execs ones that they would not think of leaving. If you let them go, that's on you.

[risingstar]

It sounds like sour grapes to me. Paypal wants to corner the market for itself and keep all the money.
Those former Execs were entitled to leave. I'm betting it was for a good reason too.

I can only hope someone else comes up and competes with eBay.

[rychehitman]

I can only hope someone else comes up and competes with eBay.

amen!

[nbr3bagshotrow]

It sounds like sour grapes to me. Paypal wants to corner the market for itself and keep all the money.
Those former Execs were entitled to leave. I'm betting it was for a good reason too.

I can only hope someone else comes up and competes with eBay.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[Jesse321]

if paypal was so damned concerned about their "secret" leaving with their execs...then make the conditions for those execs ones that they would not think of leaving. If you let them go, that's on you.

There are also such things as "Non-compete Clauses" ... I would be surprised if they weren't included in these Exec's contracts, but if they weren't then they're basically S.O.L.

[nbr3bagshotrow]

http://www.minyanville.com/dailyfeed/2011/05/27/did-google-execs-smuggle-secret/?camp=syndication&medium=portals&from=yahoo

[TNovak]

There are also such things as "Non-compete Clauses" ... I would be surprised if they weren't included in these Exec's contracts, but if they weren't then they're basically S.O.L.

The problem for paypal even if they had "non compete" clauses in contracts with the execs that left is that their redress would be against those execs and not the company they went to. They could sue the execs and go after even their personal assets but Google is under no obligation because of contracts signed between people they have hired and previous employers.

They could have something against google if they could show they illegally received proprietary materials (sort of like corporate world receiving stolen goods) but that rarely amounts to anything.

I think paypal is afraid that with a heavy hitter like google getting in to what they do that they will become "my space" and irrelevant over time.

[ratchet]

silly argument by Paypal

I agree

[El Diablo]

it's a sign of desperation from paypal because they're worried about losing market share. I'd like to see google take on eBay next (who I believe own paypal) then they'd really be worried, it's about time eBay had some real competition.

[joefixit2]

it's a sign of desperation from paypal because they're worried about losing market share. I'd like to see google take on eBay next (who I believe own paypal) then they'd really be worried, it's about time eBay had some real competition.
they do own Paypal and I agree. It would be nice to see someone take on eBay.

[Endless Wake]

Google is clearly in the wrong here and I hope Paypal crushes them in court. Here's a breakdown of what happened;

http://money.cnn.com/2011/05/27/technology/paypal_google_lawsuit/index.htm

Here are the highlights;


2010: Bedier becomes the senior PayPal executive in the negotiations with Google.

July 15, 2010: Tilenius begins attempting to lure Bedier away from PayPal to work for her at Google. She writes a Facebook message to Bedier that says "I heard from a little birdie that you might be open to bigger and better challenges, I have a HUGE opportunity for you, would love to chat if you are interested."

September 2010: Bedier begins interview process with Google as he continues to negotiate with Google on PayPal's behalf to make PayPal a mobile payments option on the Android Market. EBay says Bedier never informed the company of this conflict of interest.

Oct. 21, 2010: Bedier culminates interview process with Google by meeting with top Google executives, including then-President Larry Page.

Oct. 26, 2010: PayPal and Google finalize the Android Market deal. Google, however, declines to sign the deal.

Oct. 28, 2010: In his PayPal capacity, Bedier meets with Android head Andy Rubin about Google's strategic shift.

Oct. 31, 2010: Google offers Bedier a job.

Nov. 1, 2010: Bedier informs PayPal of his job offer. PayPal tells Bedier that he would be in violation of his contract if he accepted Google's offer.

Nov. 2, 2010: Bedier meets again with Rubin to discuss how he could help Google compete against PayPal.

Nov. 12, 2010: Google sends Bedier a formal offer of employment, but he does not immediately accept it.

Nov. 19, 2010: Bedier asks Tilenius whether he could bring PayPal co-workers over to Google with him in an e-mail saying, "If folks want to join me on day one -- how possible is this?"

Nov. 27, 2010: Tilenius sends Bedier a text message saying "By next week there will be more information I can share and you will see how the role at Google could be expanded considerably." Page speaks with Bedier about expanding his proposed role at Google, and Bedier formally accepts the job offer.

Dec. 2, 2010: Bedier changes his mind about Google, and informs PayPal of his decision to remain at the company rather than accepting Google's offer.

Dec. 3, 2010: Tilenius texts Bedier, asking if more money would help get him to change his mind.

January 2011: Bedier transfers PayPal's mobile payment strategy to his personal, non-PayPal computer.

Jan. 24, 2011: Bedier leaves PayPal for Google. PayPal says Bedier and Google have "misappropriated PayPal trade secrets by disclosing them within Google and to major retailers."

February 2011: Google inks a revised agreement with PayPal, but Google delays telling PayPal that it signed the agreement.

April 7, 2011: Google reneges on PayPal agreement, informing the company that it plans on building a competing product. Google recruits Usman Abbasi, a high-ranking PayPal engineer involved with mobile payments.

May 26, 2011: Google launches its new Google Wallet mobile-payment offering. EBay files its lawsuit against Google, Tilenius and Bedier in California's state court in Santa Clara.

[tedmic]

amen!

+2

[joefixit2]

People jump companies all the time, nature of the IT world.

[CKinSD]

this is interesting. I agree with those that have said paypal is just trying to cover their butts.

folks leave all the time and though EW posted a timeline that appears a bit damming, where did the timeline come from etc? how does one prove the guy copied those files to his personal computer?

i tihnk google will crush them and for the better, we need another payment plan out there that would be accepted by folks.

[Jesse321]

i tihnk google will crush them and for the better, we need another payment plan out there that would be accepted by folks.

http://www.fanpop.com/images/polls/1427_5_full.jpg

AMEN BROTHER CHARLES! AMEN I SAY!!