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Magic Leap Says Ex-Engineer Copied Headset for China

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Re: Magic Leap Says Ex-Engineer Copied Headset for China

#2
>Magic Leap alleges that Chi Xu, who left in 2016, exploited its confidential information to “quickly develop a prototype of lightweight, ergonomically designed, mixed reality glasses for use with smart phones and other devices that are strikingly similar” to the Florida-based startup’s designs.

>The startup alleges that Xu plotted during his roughly 13 months working there to launch his own competing company in China and “neglected his work duties” to acquire proprietary information.

While these are valid allegations to make, I'm not sure what IP "theft" has occurred. It sounds like Magic Leap is accusing Chi of looking at Magic Leap's designs and having the intention of launching a product in the same market and with roughly the same form factor - but crucially, does not allege that Chi exfiltrated any CI/trade secrets or infringed on any IP.

The second set of accusations is also kafkaesque, by the way, as they are accusing Chi of having the intent to launch a competing company by himself - something that many, many tech employees have dreamed of (and done) without ever being sued. I'm not sure what that allegation is there for, honestly.

Re: Magic Leap Says Ex-Engineer Copied Headset for China

#6

>Magic Leap alleges that Chi Xu, who left in 2016, exploited its confidential information to “quickly develop a prototype of lightweight, ergonomically designed, mixed reality glasses for use with smart phones and other devices that are strikingly similar” to the Florida-based startup’s designs. >The startup alleges that Xu plotted during his roughly 13 months working there to launch his own competing company in Chin…

but crucially, does not allege that Chi exfiltrated any CI/trade secrets or infringed on any IP

Their complaint alleges exactly that, repeatedly.

Re: Magic Leap Says Ex-Engineer Copied Headset for China

#7
Nreal optical hardware is closer to ODGs and very different to Magic Leap. Magic Leap acquired ODG patent portfolio recently (after effectively killing them via some backstabby acquisition shenanigans) and is now opportunistically patent trolling Nreal and the increasing amount of Chinese competition (Nreal has much better visual quality at a much lower price) using post rationalized accusations given current US-China climate. And on queue, Bloomberg Tech does a Bloomberg Tech on the story.

Re: Magic Leap Says Ex-Engineer Copied Headset for China

#8
Mr. Xu’s misuse and exploitation of Magic Leap’s image and goodwill is further manifested in Nreal’s shameless use of whales in its demo experiences

Are we patenting Whales in demos now? This is exactly the kind of myopia ML continues to have - thinking they were the first ones to use a whales in a VR/AR demo. I guess Intel was ripping off ML with Leviathan demo in 2014 [1] and theBlu was ripping off ML with their Vive demo in 2015 [2].

[1] https://ronaldazuma.com/Leviathan_at_CES2014.html

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFKbL-GU-_U

Re: Magic Leap Says Ex-Engineer Copied Headset for China

#9

Mr. Xu’s misuse and exploitation of Magic Leap’s image and goodwill is further manifested in Nreal’s shameless use of whales in its demo experiences Are we patenting Whales in demos now? This is exactly the kind of myopia ML continues to have - thinking they were the first ones to use a whales in a VR/AR demo. I guess Intel was ripping off ML with Leviathan demo in 2014 [1] and theBlu was ripping off ML with their Vi…

Seriously? Whales in product demos is "image and goodwill" now?

In any sane, non Sinophobic climate, this would be laughed out of the room

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