Cellphone maker Motorola has sued former executive Michael Fenger for allegedly violating a non-compete agreement and threatening to reveal its trade secrets by taking a job with Apple iPhone division. Fenger accepted "millions of dollars in cash, restricted stock units, and stock options" in exchange for agreeing not to join a competitor for two years after leaving Motorola, where he oversaw mobile devices in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the lawsuit said. However, contrary to the terms of his agreement, he took the iPhone job on March 31, less than a month after leaving Motorola.
Fenger, who now serves as vice president of global iPhone sales, also hired away two high-level Motorola employees who have access to Motorola"s trade secrets and customer relationships, the suit said. Unsurprisingly, an Apple spokeswoman said the company had no comment on the lawsuit, and Fenger could not be reached for comment. Motorola has demanded damages and repayment of stock options given to him in exchange for signing the non-compete agreement.