Apple, Google, Intel, and Adobe have submitted a new settlement proposal in the class action lawsuit alleging they violated antitrust laws by agreeing to not poach employees from each other. The new settlement follows Judge Lucy Koh's rejection of an earlier US$325 million offer she felt was too low.
Apple, Google, others submit new antipoaching settlement proposal to Judge Koh
The companies had been accused of striking deals to avoid hiring employees away from each other, which artificially capped the salaries they made. Emails between company leaders, including Apple's Steve Jobs and Google's Eric Schmidt, backed up those claims.
Had the case gone to trial, the companies were facing costs that could climb into billions of dollars so they chose to push for a settlement instead. Judge Koh felt the combined $325 million offer was unreasonably low and shot it down.
The companies appealed her ruling, but in the end came back with an alternate settlement proposal, according to Reuters, that presumably includes more money. The new filing is short on details, including just how much money the companies are willing to cough up. Regardless of what the proposal includes, it will still have to win Judge Koh's approval.
Exactly when that approval—or denial— comes is up in the air because Judge Koh is waiting on more details about the settlement proposal. That, according to the companies, will be filed soon.
None of the companies involved have commented on the new filing, but it's a safe bet they're waiting with fingers crossed hoping Judge Koh likes what she sees.