Waymo Claims New Evidence in Data Theft Claim
Alphabet Inc.’s Waymo self-driving-car company says it has new evidence that a former executive stole thousands of confidential files before joining rival Uber Technologies Inc.
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Alphabet Inc.’s Waymo self-driving-car company says it has new evidence that a former executive stole thousands of confidential files before joining rival Uber Technologies Inc.
Waymo wants a federal court in San Francisco to bar Anthony Levandowski, who left Waymo late last year, from working on Uber’s autonomous car program. Levandowski set up his own self-driving-technology company, Otto, which was acquired last summer by Uber.
Federal Judge William Alsup warned Uber early this month it faces a court order if it fails to turn over the disputed documents. Uber said at the time it couldn’t find the files. Alsup advised the company to try harder.
Waymo says it has since discovered the code name of a project designed by Levandowski while he had possession of the proprietary files. Uber insists the project was abandoned before it reached the prototype stage.
Levandowski is not a defendant in the Waymo lawsuit. But Uber says he could face criminal charges and has refused to testify in the case under his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.
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