Microsoft’s Kai-Fu Lee starts work for Google

Following a court ruling that a former Microsoft Vice President could work for Google, Kai-Fu Lee has begun work for the search company’s China operation.

InformationWeek reports : “Lee, a speech recognition expert … was hired to head Google’s new research and development center, which is expected to be built between Beijing and Shanghai, the Xinhua News Agency reported. Google plans to make a decision on the center’s location soon.”

A Washington state court ruled that Lee could begin work for Google, under a number of restrictions, while Microsoft’s suit against Lee and Google winds through the courts. Microsoft sued Google and Lee, accusing the latter of violating the non-compete clause in his contract.