In order to comply with a court ruling last week, Uber has sent employee Anthony Levandowski a letter asking him to comply with the court order or risk facing termination. This is all part of the lawsuit between Waymo and Uber over the past couple of months.
This case is currently on-going and to find out more about it, you can read our short chronology of the events which unfolded that led to the lawsuit.
Here is part of the letter sent to Levandowski by Uber in a report made by ArsTechnica.
“We understand that this letter requires you to turn over information wherever located, including but not limited to, your personal devices, and to waive any Fifth Amendment protection you may have. Also, the requirement that your lawyers cooperate with us and turn over information that may be in their possession may invade your attorney-client privilege. While we have respected your personal liberties, it is our view that the Court’s Order requires us to make these demands of you. Footnote 9 of the Order specifically states that “in complying with this order, Uber has no excuse under the Fifth Amendment to pull any punches as to Levandowski.” (Order at 23, no. 9.) Thus, we must demand that you set these privileges aside and confirm that you will promptly comply with the Court’s Order.
Finally, as you know, your employment at Uber is on an at-will basis. See A. Levandowski Employment Agreement, Aug. 17, 2016 ¶ 5(a) (“August 17, 2016 Employment Agreement”). As a condition of your employment at Uber, you must comply with all of the requirements set forth in this letter. If you do not agree to comply with all of the requirements set forth herein, or if you fail to comply in a material manner, then Uber will take adverse employment action against you, which may include termination of your employment and such termination would be for Cause.”
The case continues as Levandowski’s lawyers have appealed against it citing that their client can’t be forced to make a choice on whether to stay employed or provide self-incriminating evidence.
In the previous ruling, the judge has allowed Uber to still continue their self-driving testing efforts just without the components which might have been obtained illegally from Waymo. Uber denies that it uses those technologies in their self-driving technology.
