Court Orders Papermaster Off the Job
by , 8:10 AM EST, November 10th, 2008
Former IBM exec Mark Papermaster won't get to start his new job as a senior VP at Apple right away now that a court has ordered him off the job for potentially violating a non-compete agreement with his former employer. The order came from a U.S. District Court judge that felt his position at Apple was too similar to his job at IBM, according to Reuters.
Apple announced on November 4 that it was hiring Mr. Papermaster as senior vice president of Devices Hardware Engineering. At IBM, he served as vice president of Blade Development, and the company called him the "top expert in 'Power' architecture and technology."
IBM, however, doesn't want to see its former employee on Apple's payroll because it's concerned he might share trade secrets with his new bosses. "Mr. Papermaster has access to confidential know-how and other sensitive information that the company uses to manufacture its 'blade' servers," the company said in its court filing.
Apple is complying with the court order, but isn't giving up on Mr. Papermaster without a fight. A new hearing is set for November 18 for his objections on the ruling.
An Apple spokesperson commented "We will comply with the court's order but are confident that Mark Papermaster will be able to ultimately join Apple when the dust settles."
Observer Comments
Secrecy is tantamount to any computer business much like customer base information is very important to sales organizations.
I do not want anyone touching my customer demographics to just walk out with my lifeblood, my contacts ...
Papermaster cannot just "walk out" to a competitor after signing. Not only are his technicals skills valuable, so too his contacts ... which are probably just as important.
Besides, he knows the whole system, not just a part of if. If he was a manager of only a part of the process, then perhaps he would have more understanding.
But, as it its, a deal is a deal.
It is well brought out by Lawyers of Mr Papermaster that we cannot take a narrow view of NC agreements and restrict individuals in contributing to development of technology.
Further if one cannot use his knowledge and experience and build on it what is its use(Knowledge)I feel the case needs to be dismissed forthwith.
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