PayPal Sues Former Execs and New Employer Google in Trade Secrets Spat Over

PayPal has filed a lawsuit against Google following the announcement of Google's new Wallet and Offers features, claiming that the company stole PayPal's "trade secrets" to create the services. PayPal alleges in its complaint that a key PayPal employee moved to Google following failed negotiations for Google to adopt PayPal as its go-to payment platform on Android.

PayPal claims that it had been "developing capabilities to provide large retailers with next generation 'mobile payment' point of sale technology and services." The company further alleges that a former employee who had "intimate knowledge" of these secrets, senior executive Osama Bedier, was recruited to Google by a former eBay executive, Stephanie Tilenius, and hired on January 24 of this year.

Google has issued a press release as follows: "Silicon Valley was built on the ability of individuals to use their knowledge and expertise to seek better employment opportunities, an idea recognized by both California law and public policy," a company spokesperson said. "We respect trade secrets, and will defend ourselves against these claims."

The complaint filed by PayPal is linked above if you click on the title to this post.

Have a restful and enjoyable weekend, folks.