Shots fired! Google up next.
Well that didn't take long... "We have reviewed Waymo’s claims and determined them to be a baseless attempt to slow down a competitor and we look forward to vigorously defending against them in court." Can Uber put out fires on this many fronts at once? Not that there's much of a choice, I suppose. So, what happens next? http://www.geekwire.com/2017/uber-calls-claims-of-stolen-self-driving-car-technology-from-google-spinout-waymo-a-baseless-attempt-to-slow-down-a-competitor/
GeekWire
They had no choice. If they admit guilt, people are going to jail. So they buy themselves some time this way. Maybe Levandowski flees to Costa Rica and buys a private army to protect himself.
What else did you think they were going to reply? "Oops got us!"? It will be settled in court and none of this back and forth before matters.
Not true, before trial an injunction could halt development or at least testing on public roads. And they could've said nothing or stayed more neutral—accusing Google of a frivolous lawsuit to impede their progress takes it to another level.
as far so know, the technology concerned have yet to hit the road. so it shouldn't impact testing on the road. and to obtain such an injunction they need to have severe proof that the same technology has been used in Otto's lidar. stealing confidential documents would be a shame, but it would involved only one person. using these documents to duplicate the technology would involved a full team of engineers cheating and being OK with that. I can't imagine that, I really hope it didn't happen.
Checkmate
With that level of details, I don't think Uber can get away. We're doomed!
*Alphabet
Google can license the technology and ask for compensation, the monetary amount won't be much as the technology hasn't earned them any money yet. Of course the penalty could be tripled if it is found wilful. If Google doesn't license it, then Uber has to do enough to circumvent the patents. It shouldn't be very tough given the nature of modern patents. Let's see ... I don't think this will affect their valuation by much!
Uber is done.
self driving cars is not their main business. why are they "done"?
Because a company valuation is determined by projecting the future, and self-driving business is the only competitive advantage Uber has