Apple is reportedly involved in settlement talks with electric car battery maker A123 Systems, which accused the Cupertino of poaching at least five of its employees in a bid to start a large scale battery division of its own.
It was in February, when A123 filed a breach of contract lawsuit against Apple and five of its former employees. The lawsuit accused Cupertino of waging an aggressive campaign to poach employees from A123 to set up a battery division in June last year.
A123 claimed that the five employees named in the lawsuit were hired by Apple to perform the same functions, in violation of noncompete and nondisclosure agreements signed by the employees. It also accused one of the five defendants, Mujeeb Ijaz, of helping Cupertino recruit among its ranks.
According to a filing made Tuesday in Massachusetts’ federal district court, Apple has called out the federal judge for an extension until March 11 saying that it is “exploring potential resolution of this matter with plaintiff.” The filing notes that A123 is also supporting Apple’s call for delay.
Both Apple and A123 Systems are yet to comment on the report.
