Motorola sues former exec over employment with Apple

Motorola is suing a former executive, claiming he violated a two-year non-compete agreement by becoming the head of global iPhone sales for Apple and recruiting two other former Motorola employees.

Motorola filed the suit against Mike Fenger, who quit in March as senior vice president of mobile devices for Europe, Middle East and Africa to join Apple. Fenger was part of a mass exodus of executives this past spring as the company's handset business continues to deteriorate. The suit not only alleges a breach of contract but also claims Fenger used Motorola trade secrets. It's not that he stole any documents, but the information in his head seems to be enough to violate Motorola's trade secrets.

"In his new position...he cannot perform his duties for Apple without inevitably disclosing Motorola's trade secrets," the lawsuit states.

For more:
- check out the WSJ (sub. req.)

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