Several U.S. tech companies — including Apple, Google, Intel, Adobe, Intuit and Walt Disney’s Pixar unit — are in advanced talks with the Justice Department to avoid a court battle over whether they colluded to hold down wages by agreeing not to poach each other’s employees, reports the “Wall Street Journal” (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703440604575496182527552678.html?mod=WSJ_hps_LEFTWhatsNews), quoting “people familiar with the matter.”
The article says some companies more willing to settle to avoid an antitrust case than others. If negotiations falter, both sides could be headed for a defining court battle that could help decide the legality of such arrangements throughout the U.S. economy, notes the “Journal.”
Spokespeople for Google, Apple, Intel, Adobe and Intuit all declined to comment, to the newspaper. Pixar had no immediate comment. A Justice Department spokeswoman also declined to comment.
