Report: Hiring by tech companies under DOJ investigation

Source: Computer World

June 3, 2009 01:26 AM ET

IDG News Service - The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is investigating whether the hiring practices of Google, Yahoo, Apple and some other technology companies may have violated anti-trust regulations, The Washington Post reported Wednesday.

The focus of the investigation is not clear, but appears to address the possible agreements among these companies not to poach top executives from one another. The investigation includes biotech company Genentech, as well as other tech companies the Post said, citing two unidentified sources.

The reported move by the DOJ reflects plans for a more aggressive approach to antitrust enforcement by the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama.

Christine Varney, assistant attorney general in charge of the DOJ's Antitrust Division, said last month that as part of an overall plan to get tougher on antitrust concerns, the DOJ should take a close look at the high-tech and Internet industries and new ways of measuring antitrust activity there.

A number of tech companies, including Google, have been under scrutiny in the U.S. for possible antitrust behavior. The Federal Trade Commission is said to be investigating whether the close ties between Apple's and Google's boards of directors violate antitrust laws. Google's deal with authors and publishers on scanning of books has also attracted government scrutiny in the U.S.

The DOJ could not be reached for comment Tuesday night.

Read more: http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=009133879

to India, China and Mexico while they are simultaneously laying off workers in the US - in the middle of a depression, no less - when we have 20% unemployment here?

THAT is what they need to be investigating.

Their law firms offer seminars in how to get around legal requirements to hire Americans first. I know. I've attended these for a big american IT employer.

of US economic hardship. But - the whine is: "oh my that's "protectionism" - we can't do thaaaaaaaat! We gotta have freee traaade!"


Bullshit.

:mad:

..don't they?

I'd point to THIS as an example of why the US needs to do the same - when they cry and whine - show them that article and others like it. Can't have it both ways.

The US can't have it both ways either. I mean, the US cannot have an economic recovery while it is sending all our jobs to India/China/Mexico/wherever - period. Regardless of 'free trade' or 'protectionism' or whatever - we also cannot have it both ways! Either keep the jobs here and stop outsourcing them - or there will be NO recovery. It really is that simple.