On hiring an employee of your competitor

The case involving Bimbo Bakeries (Thomas English muffins) and former exec BOTTICELLA illustrates an unhappy former employer going after a former employee who signed up with a competitor (here Hostess). But what about the competitor who honors the wishes of the former employer as to noncompete?

In the post titled

Employee Has Viable Tameny Claim Against New Employer for Wrongful Termination in Violation of Public Policy When Terminated by New Employer, Who Cites Alleged “Understanding” Between Old and New Employer to Honor Old Employer’s Noncompetition Agreement

caltradesecrets.com illustrates that the "obliging" competitor can get into trouble, too, especially in California.

Earlier IPBiz posts on Bimbo Bakeries:


Bimbo Bakeries goes after former exec on secrets of Thomas' English Muffins


Injunction in Bimbo Bakeries case maintained; secret muffin formula still safe?

**UPDATE. 7 Jan 11.

There seems to be a trade secret case brewing at Renault concerning execs disclosing electric car secrets.

The Wall Street Journal noted: The high-level corporate suspensions highlight how seriously car makers are taking the risks to their intellectual property as they develop electric vehicles.