Battery maker A123 sues Apple for poaching staff amid rumors of electric car

Battery maker A123 Systems is suing Apple, claiming it aggressively poached some key staff members in violation of their nondisclosure and noncompete agreements when they left A123.

According to a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Massachusetts, A123 is seeking a restraining order and preliminary injunction to stop former employee Mujeeb Ijaz to hire former A123 employees at Apple, where he now works. A123 makes lithium-ion batteries for electric cars and other products,

The complaint says Apple is starting a battery division nearly identical to A123. Apple did not immediately return a request for comment.

The suit comes amid unconfirmed reports that Apple may be developing an electric car as competition in that sector heats up.