Google, Microsoft Both Claim Victory

A Seattle judge’s decision letting a former Microsoft Corp. scientist work for Internet portal Google is being hailed by both sides as a win.

Google is pleased that Kai-Fu Lee will be able to build and staff a laboratory in China, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported Wednesday.

But Microsoft is pleased that he is barred from helping set the laboratory’s budget or compensation, contacting university or government officials about research, or defining the facility’s agenda.

Microsoft’s general counsel said Tuesday night the company was willing to settle if Google would accept the restraining order as written through next July 18, a year after Lee left.