Apple Hires IBM Chip Designer, IBM Files Lawsuit

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Apple recently hired Mark Papermaster, IBM’s former vice president of microprocessor technology development. While Mr. Papermaster was no doubt thrilled to be headed to Apple, it looks like his old employer is saying not so fast to Papermaster’s decision to leave the company.

The New York Times reports that until quite recently Papermaster was one of IBM’s top 300 managers and said that he had signed a noncompete agreement with the company that would prevent him from accepting a job with a competitor for a full year following his departure from IBM.

According to the Times, IBM believes Apple’s decision to hire Papermaster is an attempt to expand its presence in the markets for servers and chips for handheld devices. The company believes that should Papermaster go ahead with his move to Apple he will be "providing to Apple technical and strategic advice on a variety of issues" according to IBM’s complaint.

Many people believe Apple’s decision to take on the former IBM employee could have something to do with the company’s purchase of PA Semi last year. At the time, Jobs told the Times that PA Semi was to be used to build chips for the iPod Touch and iPhone.

Read the full story on the New York Times.

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falchard , October 31, 2008 4:54 PM

Good call IBM. You cannot risk giving Apple a complete version of the Cell Processor that all they invested into was 1 IBM manager.
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Pei-chen , October 31, 2008 5:40 PM

Wow, I can't believe Apple has the audacity to pick on IBM. Even with Intel's backing Jobs should know he is no match for the Big Blue.
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Anonymous , October 31, 2008 6:01 PM

If he was the 'Vice President of Microprocessor Technology Development' and Apple got him to work in semiconductor department, then this probably is a violation of the non-competition agreement.
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Anonymous , October 31, 2008 7:07 PM

If he was the 'Vice President of Microprocessor Technology Development' and Apple got him to work in semiconductor department, then this probably is a violation of the non-competition agreement.

Well depends on what state he is working in. California courts have said the non compete clause are invalid. So if he signed the contract in New York but is working in California it will be interesting.
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Kami3k , October 31, 2008 9:21 PM

Good, I hope Apple loses. Will be funny with their constant lawsuits they've been giving out to others.
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Dee_20 , November 1, 2008 3:34 AM

I love reading these comments from apple haters. If intel hires this guy for their future processor design and ibm files a lawsuit against intel. would you still back ibm?
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Pei-chen , November 2, 2008 2:29 AM

Dee_20I love reading these comments from apple haters. If intel hires this guy for their future processor design and ibm files a lawsuit against intel. would you still back ibm?

I like IBM way better than Intel as Big Blue is the source of most IT technologies.
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Alternator , November 3, 2008 12:11 AM

Dee_20I love reading these comments from apple haters. If intel http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_Corporation hires this guy for their future processor design and ibm files a lawsuit against intel. would you still back ibm?

Yes I would still back IBM, this is regardless of what I think of the companies involved.
This is simply a case of market sensitivity, ergo the 1yr cooldown period.