Amazon fails to stop ex-sales staffer winging it to Google Cloud

Amazon has failed to stop high-flying salesman Philip Moyer, who once flogged its cloud services to the financial services industry, from moving to Google's cloud division, although its efforts were partly upheld by a Seattle court. Even though Amazon Web Services couldn't prevent Moyer from taking up his new role, US district …

[Anonymous Coward]

Careful ...

"the Court does not look favorably on Amazon's apparent practices."

They can get a different judge next time. Can they get a different public? Careful Amazon, too much nudging in pinball can give you a 'tilt' result and losing the game.

[Maelstorm]

In California, U.S.A....

Here in California, such non-compete agreements are illegal and will not be enforced by the courts. Businesses have tried several things such as "this agreement is governed by the laws of such and such state." have also been rejected by California courts. If you live and work in California, then California laws apply no matter what the business may try to say otherwise. All they can do is wait and see if the employee's knowledge is used at the new company in such a way as to compromise the former employer's trade secrets. If that happens, then they can sue. The Waymo vs. Uber case comes to mind.

[ckm5]

Re: In California, U.S.A....

I was gonna say, all he needs to do is move to California and all this is irrelevant.

[Gene Cash]

Re: In California, U.S.A....

If you look at the history of Silicon Valley firms, especially the early days of semiconductor firms like Intel and Fairchild, you'll see this is a big part of what caused it to grow. People didn't like their current job, they were free to get another one, or even start a new company.

[Doctor Syntax]

Moyer is also prohibited from "contacting existing AWS customers, including healthcare customers"

He'll need to get a list of these otherwise how will he know who not to contact. Of course such a list might find its way into colleagues' hands.

[Claverhouse]

He could hand them a list of persons asking them to give his apologies to each, telling each recipient he himself is barred from contacting them, by order, but sends his very best wishes.

For old times' sake.

[Lrd Snooty]

Isn't almost every customer of AWS listed as a reference?

[YetAnotherJoeBlow]

HAHAHAHA

Google complaing about fairness!! F___in hypocrites.

[Sir Runcible Spoon]

Re: HAHAHAHA

Was it Google complaining though? I thought it was the sales-droid, Moyer.

[Gentry753]

In Belgium the (ex-)employee needs to be compensated for limiting the employment options. IMO same should apply here. The person is restricted in their employment. AWS/Amazon should pay to keep it restricted.