Google's Suit Against MS Put on Hold

Google's attempts at getting Kai-Fu Lee's Microsoft contract voided through California laws prohibiting noncompete clauses has hit another roadblock. A U.S. District Judge in San Jose on Thursday ordered the trial postponed until the outcome of Microsoft's case in a Washington state court is known.

Judge Ronald Whyte said that "Google and Lee fail to explain why they cannot ask the Washington state court to apply California law," making it increasingly likely that Microsoft might prevail in its fight against the search giant. Although a Washington state court did rule in September that Kai-Fu Lee could work for Google, it severely restricted what job functions he could perform.