Cellphone maker Motorola has sued former executive Michael Fenger for allegedly violating a non-compete agreement and threatening to reveal its trade secrets by taking a job with Apple iPhone division. Fenger accepted "millions of dollars in cash, restricted stock units, and stock options" in exchange for agreeing not to join a competitor for two years after leaving Motorola, where he oversaw mobile devices in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the lawsuit said. However, contrary to the terms of his agreement, he took the iPhone job on March 31, less than a month after leaving Motorola. Fenger, who now serves as vice president of global iPhone sales, also hired away two high-level Motorola employees who have access to Motorola's trade secrets and customer relationships, the suit said. Unsurprisingly, an Apple spokeswoman said the company had no comment on the lawsuit, and Fenger could not be reached for comment. Motorola has demanded damages and repayment of stock options given to him in exchange for signing the non-compete agreement.
















motorala ?
That's kind of the point, those things are terrible. You are basically stuck with that company and in some cases even being fired does not release you, this guy is "lucky' he actually got paid millions to be in one most sales people in non compete agreements get nothing out of them.
That's kind of the point, those things are terrible. You are basically stuck with that company and in some cases even being fired does not release you, this guy is "lucky' he actually got paid millions to be in one most sales people in non compete agreements get nothing out of them.
Apple contracted this guy not because he was capable but their knowledge, contact and strategic data from the former company.
That's kind of the point, those things are terrible. You are basically stuck with that company and in some cases even being fired does not release you, this guy is "lucky' he actually got paid millions to be in one most sales people in non compete agreements get nothing out of them.
Apple contracted this guy not because he was capable but their knowledge, contact and strategic data from the former company.
Because you know this for a fact, right?
That's kind of the point, those things are terrible. You are basically stuck with that company and in some cases even being fired does not release you, this guy is "lucky' he actually got paid millions to be in one most sales people in non compete agreements get nothing out of them.
Apple contracted this guy not because he was capable but their knowledge, contact and strategic data from the former company.
Because you know this for a fact, right?
Well, the problem is that he can substantiate it, but he'll use it as part of his cadre of weapons he likes to beat Apple with. He some how has this idea that everyone is the same, no one has any monetary value based on differing skills - its all based on "knowledge, contact and strategic data". Its stupid I know, but then again, this is Magallanes.
As for Motorola, I can assure you, if Motorola was the number one mobile phone company, and making more money than you can point a stick at, they wouldn't be worried about small fry like Michael Fenger. The fact that Motorola is going down faster than a hooker on K road tells me that they're using intimidation to keep their management at their company.
That's kind of the point, those things are terrible. You are basically stuck with that company and in some cases even being fired does not release you, this guy is "lucky' he actually got paid millions to be in one most sales people in non compete agreements get nothing out of them.
Apple contracted this guy not because he was capable but their knowledge, contact and strategic data from the former company.
Because you know this for a fact, right?
Well, the problem is that he can substantiate it, but he'll use it as part of his cadre of weapons he likes to beat Apple with. He some how has this idea that everyone is the same, no one has any monetary value based on differing skills - its all based on "knowledge, contact and strategic data". Its stupid I know, but then again, this is Magallanes.
As for Motorola, I can assure you, if Motorola was the number one mobile phone company, and making more money than you can point a stick at, they wouldn't be worried about small fry like Michael Fenger. The fact that Motorola is going down faster than a hooker on K road tells me that they're using intimidation to keep their management at their company.
Wow...in your world, 'intimidation' means "millions of dollars in cash, restricted stock units, and stock options"? I want to live in your world!
That makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.
Where is the evidence that he shared any information?
Where is the evidence that he shared any information?
They don't need evidence he did anything except take a job with a direct competitor, something he signed a contract not to do.
Where is the evidence that he shared any information?
They don't need evidence he did anything except take a job with a direct competitor, something he signed a contract not to do.
I find that laughable considering that you can define competitor in what ever way you want. Pizza Hut has a non-competitor agreement with management - but who constitutes a competitor? another pizza place? what about McDonalds - are they a competitor? what about Greasy Joe's sole proprietor - is he a competitor?
Where is the evidence that he shared any information?
They don't need evidence he did anything except take a job with a direct competitor, something he signed a contract not to do.
I find that laughable considering that you can define competitor in what ever way you want. Pizza Hut has a non-competitor agreement with management - but who constitutes a competitor? another pizza place? what about McDonalds - are they a competitor? what about Greasy Joe's sole proprietor - is he a competitor?
I feel you are missing the point. The amount of trade secrets a manager for Pizza hut (bare in mind there are thousands of them across the globe and that each manager has very little corporate knowledge beyond their own franchise) has is absolutely miniscule compared to the amount of knowledge a motorola executive will have. Also, consider how much Apple are currently raking in from their phone - if he did divulge any trade secrets it has more than likely earnt apple a few more $$$s than any rogue Pizza hut manager could earn for mcdonalds.
what a sad, sad state motorola's mobile division has end in. bad enough to have a former ceo that do nothing for the company except to screw them for a fat severence package, now we have a desperate motorola going after their former small flies for petty issue ...
someone should put them out of their misery.
oh. i forgot. nobody wants to buy them.
what a sad, sad state motorola's mobile division has end in. bad enough to have a former ceo that do nothing for the company except to screw them for a fat severence package, now we have a desperate motorola going after their former small flies for petty issue ...
someone should put them out of their misery.
oh. i forgot. nobody wants to buy them.
Eh... it clearly states in the article that he accepted MILLIONS of dollars. Perhaps for you a million dollars is a petty issue, but for me and obviously for motorola, its an amount that requires chasing up...
what a sad, sad state motorola's mobile division has end in. bad enough to have a former ceo that do nothing for the company except to screw them for a fat severence package, now we have a desperate motorola going after their former small flies for petty issue ...
someone should put them out of their misery.
oh. i forgot. nobody wants to buy them.
Eh... it clearly states in the article that he accepted MILLIONS of dollars. Perhaps for you a million dollars is a petty issue, but for me and obviously for motorola, its an amount that requires chasing up...
And I clearly stated that Motorola is going down the tubes, and had Motorola been on a winning streak, it would have been ignored. It is about a pathetic company with pathetic management who are ****ing and moaning over their own incompetency.
Your logic fails. If Motorola were #1, that'd give them even MORE reason to keep their secrets from the competitors. Thus, it would NOT be ignored any more than an executive jumping ship from Microsoft, as Microsoft works very hard to keep their position.
How can some of you say that it is okay to leave company X and join a competing company Y within such a short time frame? He knows all the strategies and product plans for motorola for the next 3 to 5 years and that is already too much information which apple can easily tap. Whether he has released that info or not is irrelevant since he already knows such information and can easily reveal it any time he wants.
And no, if I was Motorola and I was earning loads of cash, I still wouldn't leave this alone.
Commenting has either been disabled on this article or you are not logged in. Click here to login or register, its free!
Note: Anonymous commenting is disabled in order to keep the quality of responses to a high standard.