New iPod boss defies IBM lawsuit

 

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By Stuart Turton

Posted on 4 Nov 2008 at 17:31

Mark Papermaster has ignored IBM's lingering lawsuit to join Apple as the new iPod boss.

Apple has hired Papermaster as senior vice president of Devices Hardware Engineering, replacing Tony Fadell, the man credited with bringing the idea of the iPod to Apple. The company has confirmed Fadell will stay on as a consultant.

Papermaster was formerly vice president of IBM's Blade Development Unit, a position he left in October.

After announcing he was to join Apple, IBM immediately launched a lawsuit intended to prevent the move. Big Blue claims that, as one of its top executives, Papermaster had access to trade secrets and had signed a non-compete agreement, meaning he was unable to join a competitor for a year.

IBM says it is prepared to press ahead with its case: "Mr Papermaster's employment is a violation of his agreement with IBM against working for a competitor should he leave IBM. We will vigorously pursue this case in court."

Fadell says he is leaving to spend more time with his family.