Live data from Hacker News

Google accused of racketeering in lawsuit

mercurynews.com

51–60 of 206 posts

Re: Google accused of racketeering in lawsuit

#51
post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Is this common behavior for Google, if the story is true? It depends on details of his contract. It's quite plausible his employment contract in "Project X" did say that he would transfer knowledge and ideas in exchange for money. It's pretty standard stuff. In other words, it might not be exactly a slam dunk case. A racketeering charge seems pretty outrageous as well. However if Google did these things (which look…

>"It's quite plausible his employment contract in "Project X" did say that he would transfer knowledge and ideas in exchange for money." I'm curious about your comment that this is "pretty standard stuff." Do you mean in the context of Google X agreements? Do you transfer intellectual property to them as part of the employment contract? Are you paid a flat fee? Do they pay a "kill" fee if Google X ultimately decides…

In general in employment contracts in technology it seems. Any software written or ideas related to the field of employment get transferred to the employer. In some cases (have read it on HN here) people have successfully modified their employment contract to exclude some of the clauses like that.

> Are you paid a flat fee? Do they pay a "kill" fee if Google X ultimately decides not pursue your idea and terminates your employment agreement?

No idea, maybe someone could share. I would imagine it is a customized contract tailed for each contributor / collaborator. The important bit is it is a contract, so unless it is illegal any "kill" clauses could have been put in there.

Re: Google accused of racketeering in lawsuit

#53
post #2

> Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but a judge in the case noted last year that the firm has argued that Attia gave Google rights to his technology “without a condition of later payment.” So Google's defense isn't even that the substance of the accusations are false, but that they had the legal ability to do so? Is this common behavior for Google, if the story is true? This may be naive, b…

No post body was provided.

Re: Google accused of racketeering in lawsuit

#55
post #45
post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>The way I see it, you are essentially asking people not to learn from each other. I dont think he sayimg anything like that. There's a big difference between learning from each other and baiting you for your secret sauce.

1. Baiting is learning though. 2. "Baiting" is an opinion. I have no doubt OP got baited in his view but to Google, it might have been simply the asking of questions. Maybe the questions were asked to make sure OP's technology was sufficiently different and inferior to whatever they themselves launched. If that were the case, it wouldn't be baiting. It'd be discovery.

[deleted]

Re: Google accused of racketeering in lawsuit

#56
post #2

> Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but a judge in the case noted last year that the firm has argued that Attia gave Google rights to his technology “without a condition of later payment.” So Google's defense isn't even that the substance of the accusations are false, but that they had the legal ability to do so? Is this common behavior for Google, if the story is true? This may be naive, b…

It’s a weird company.

Consider this, their CEO Eric Schmidt, technically Alphabet’s), has a voracious prostitute-appetite.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2371719/Googles-Eric...

Re: Google accused of racketeering in lawsuit

#57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It’s a weird company. Consider this, their CEO Eric Schmidt, technically Alphabet’s), has a voracious prostitute-appetite. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2371719/Googles-Eric...

Is that confirmed anywhere more reputable? Daily Mail doesn't exactly have a stellar track record if I recall correctly.

Re: Google accused of racketeering in lawsuit

#58
post #52

Where are all the people who are always disclaiming to work for Google in every thread about Google? Weird you’re silent on this.

Since you asked, it's 11:36pm and I just got home from drinking wine with a friend. I'm making a pastrami sandwich and might fall asleep soon. Can't speak for others, though. Thanks for your curiosity.

Thankfully, your honor, most of us are smart enough to know to not play unpaid internet forum lawyer.

Re: Google accused of racketeering in lawsuit

#59
post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Before Uber became Public Enemy #1 and prior to the Otto/Levandowski dispute, Google was planning on competing with Uber despite being an investor, which led Kalanick to e-mail David Drummond about it [1]. Drummond eventually left Uber's board (which harkens back to Schmidt leaving Apple's board) but this was well after the relationship had been deteriorating. [1] http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/595ea97dd9fc…

Was that really surprising? The company that builds the first self driving cars will have an easy entrance into the ride service industry.

I'm not sure how that's relevant to the discussion.

Re: Google accused of racketeering in lawsuit

#60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There is no benefit in complaining here. If you actually care, this sounds like it’s your opportunity to get a lawyer for some minimal amount of money to reach out to Attia’s lawyers and see if they’re interested. It seems they are pooling past examples demonstrating similar behavior.

Of course there's a reason to complain here. I can hardly think of a better place to get the word out to technology entrepreneurs if your goal is to do so. (Not to imply anything about the truth or falsity of the allegations. I don't know whether any are true.)

I don’t mean a general benefit, I mean for the GP. Anything he says now without legal advisement is a liability should he choose to persue legal action.

Seriously guys. You might think it’s just online venting but these law firms dig everything up.

Post reply on HN