China's Baidu Sues Ex-Driverless Chief Over Alleged Secrets Theft
- Search giant targets exec’s startup JingChi in new lawsuit
- Legal action has parallels with Waymo’s suit against Uber
Why Baidu Is Suing Its Former Autonomous Driving Chief
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Baidu Inc. is suing its former autonomous driving chief and his months-old startup for allegedly stealing in-house technology, moving to protect intellectual property it considers vital to future growth.
The lawsuit echoes a dispute between Alphabet Inc.’s Waymo and Uber Technologies Inc., over allegations a former executive took valuable data when he jumped ship. China’s largest search engine provider is suing JingChi Inc., led by former executive Wang Jing, in the Beijing Intellectual Property Court, Baidu said. It wants 50 million yuan ($7.6 million) and legal costs in compensation and demands the startup cease using any purportedly stolen technology.