Wednesday, May 7

Borland Sues Microsoft, C laiming Unfair Business Practices Over Hiring

Borland International in Scotts Valley, Calif., filed suit today against Microsoft, charging the company with unfair competition regarding its recruitment of Borland employees. Filed in California state court under the state's unfair business practice laws, the suit claims Borland has lost 34 key employees to Microsoft in the past 30 months.

With the suit, Borland is seeking an injunction to keep Microsoft from approaching current Borland employees, and is asking for unspecified damages. Borland is being represented by Palo Alto, Calif., law firm Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, which is well/known as the firm where Microsoft critic Gary Reback is a partner.

A Microsoft spokeswoman said the company couldn't comment on specifics of the lawsuit yet. She said, however, "We believe that Borland's claims are without merit. Recruiting is a fact of life in the software industry. It is very competitive and there is a high demand for qualified p eople."

/- Stuart J. Johnston

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