Judge Orders Tony Fadell’s Replacement to Stop Work

[mgamber]

This guy isn't being told he can't work somewhere because he knows something, he's being he can't work somewhere because he signed a paper saying he wouldn't. If the language is such that IBM can interpret competition any way it pleases and he signed it, I wouldn't say he's the brightest bulb in the pack. I've had a non-compete pushed in front of me twice. Once was from a very vertical company that had no real competition and I signed because the language was such that I could do anything I'd like except write that specific kind of software for one year. The second stated that I couldn't write anything for anyone for 5 years if I left the company and I wouldn't sign. I told them why I wouldn't sign and if it was a problem, thanks for the offer but no thanks. Turns out it wasn't a problem. They hired me anyway, I worked there for a few years and when I left, I had no problems with anyone. No one else I've ever worked for even asked me to sign a non-compete. There has to be more to this story but as it stands, this isn't a problem of IBM nor Apple, it's a problem of the person who signed the contract and then decided to ignore it. IBM and Apple can interpret it any way they'd like and a court will decide who's right and if the contract can actually be enforced. But he could have easily avoided the entire problem by not signing it in the first place or requesting specific language in the contract that left as little room for interpretation as possible. That's what lawyers do.

You know, if we're going to start ignoring contracts to which we've agreed and signed whenever it gets in the way, how long do you think it's going to be before the companies for whom you work are going to start ignoring their side of the contract? It's going to be a long time before you see another raise, another bonus, health care, heat, a working elevator or anything else they provide.

[unlockme]

jobs should tell him... "i'll pay you $8/hour under the table (cash) until we resolve this little issue"

[dale1v]

Cademiax, stop, please.

[Carrbone]

No. Apple is a business (like any other) that selectively employs people and looks to expand; they don't "get infected".

Lack of genius...No. The man must obviously have some pretty big skills under his belt if he's been selected by Apple to be "Senior Vice president of Devices Hardware Engineering".
Apple aren't the only company that have smart people.
IBM has lack of innovation? But wait, the iPods (built by Apple) over the past few years haven't exactly been innovative...

Name one tech company where by employing people, their technology
actually goes backwards in time. Uhhhhh

IF the man gets the job, I doubt you will see any change in the direction of where the company is going, which is what you seem to think.

your obviously missing the point of my post.

As simple as I can be...
the guy is a moron plain and simple and he doesnt belong in apple.
Im not saying apple is the only company hiring certain people...
Im saying he doesnt need to be around them and infect them with his own stupidity. Which is obvious from the situation that he is in.


Just because he has a good resume with a long work history doesnt make him smart or creative.

And alot of companies that employ terrible people make terrible products.
You dont hear about them cause they dont exist anymore-

A product is only as good as the person who designed them.

How could you say ipods arent innovative?
How can you say that anything Apple creates isnt innovative?

Everything made by Apple is a new innovation in one way or another.

Apple doesnt follow the same path as any company... If anything they're on a whole other road that they made themselves.

BTW... all said and done I know you think im some kind of apple nut.... reality is Im a PC owner and I can't stand IBM. I dont like MAC OS either(I work with it)- but I still respect it and think its a great product.

[dale1v]

IBMs are fugly, fo' sho'
but look at the line of iPod classics...they aren't really innovative anymore, they up the size every year and maybe make a slightly new interface and that's it...
The dude's an engineer lol, he must be smart haha

[Carrbone]

lol well he's tryin to leave IBM so I guess I have hope for him! hahahah

[cricketlang]

Poor Guy. Its sad that companies have to fight over great minds and cant just let people make their own choices. I hope the man gets what he wishes and not what everyone else wants

[jayson9]

A bad contract signed for employment, does not mean a employer can keep you from your line of work....... Most just state you cannot share specific knowledge. Some try to to keep you from other employers, but usually don't hold up in court. We will just have to see what the court says about this. Thank god it's not the same court that decided the 2000 election - yet.

[mgamber]

yeah, that is the bottom line, the outcome of this will be decided by a court, not some subjective bs like "IBM sucks". I'm no fan of IBM but Apple is also a fat US corporation who's biggest innovation to date was backdating stock options. Jobs is damned lucky he didn't go to jail for that. He might have had to (gag) tolerate people like his customers.