Aibang Sues Former President Over Group Buying Site
Netease Tech, 9/08/10
Chinese local search site Aibang has filed a lawsuit against former president Song Zhongjie and other former employees for over RMB 500,000 in compensation. Aibang recently filed charges with Beijing's Haidian District People's Court, which has yet to accept the suit.
Aibang alleges that Song joined the company in April and jointly led Aibang's group buying division with Zhu Min and Li Jinlong, and stole commercial secrets, including Aibang's group buying user data. Song left Aibang after less than three months and launched group buying site Didatuan.com, which followed the same business model in the same cities as Aibang's group buying business. Aibang also alleges that Song poached a number of Aibang's contracted merchants and agents in Shanghai, Hangzhou and Qingdao.
Aibang states that Song also poached fifteen employees, including Li Jinlong and Zhu Min. Aibang alleges that these employees are in violation of confidentiality and non-compete terms in their contracts with Aibang.
Editor's Note: For more background on this topic, please see "Rumor: Ex-Googlers Leave Aibang" MD 7/08/10 issue and "Aibang: Departed Staff Broke Non-Compete Agreement" MD 7/15/10 issues.
Keywords: IPR infringement Song Zhongjie Internet local search Aibang business model group buying Zhu Min Li Jinlong Didatuan law litigation HR e-commerce Beijing Haidian District People's Court
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