HP is suing former CEO Mark Hurd, claiming that he violated his confidentiality agreement with them when he accepted employment at Oracle--a rival with HP for worldwide sales of servers and other network hardware.
Oracle announced last week that Hurd would serve as co-president of the company and that he would serve on the Board of Directors.
The HP suit alleges it will be impossible for Hurd to discharge his duties at Oracle without violating the terms of his confidentiality agreement, a contract that requires the the strict maintenance of a company's secrecy from its key competitors. The contract is standard protocol for employees privy to sensitive strategic or technical information.
"Hurd cannot separate out HP's trade secrets and confidential information in performing his daily duties at Oracle," the suit alleges.
There has been no official public response from either Hurd or Oracle to the suit.
Hurd resigned from HP last month amidst allegations of sexual harassment leveled by actress and company spokesperson, Jodie Fisher.
