In the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara, plaintiffs Synopsys, Inc. and Tyler Speed have filed a lawsuit against Australian Semiconductor Technology Company, Inc. (ASTC). The case, with ID 24CV436834, was filed on April 25, 2024. The complaint alleges unfair competition and tortious interference among other charges.
Represented by Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP and Hickey Hauck Bishoff Jeffers & Seabolt PLLC respectively, Synopsys and Speed claim that ASTC is unlawfully using non-compete clauses to restrict employees from working elsewhere after leaving the company. This action has allegedly caused harm to California residents and interfered with Synopsys' and Speed's contractual rights. On April 22, 2024, ASTC allegedly threatened Synopsys over its continued employment of former ASTC employee Tyler Speed.
The plaintiffs are seeking a declaratory judgment that ASTC’s non-compete provisions are unlawful and unenforceable. They also seek expedient relief from the court to halt what they perceive as ASTC's unfair conduct.