Overview of the Legal Battle

HR Tech startup Rippling has initiated a high-profile lawsuit against its competitor Deel, claiming involvement in corporate espionage. The company accuses Deel of paying an employee to spy on them—a claim bolstered by an affidavit that adds a dramatic flair to the situation.

Challenges in Serving Legal Papers

Central to Rippling’s legal proceedings is the task of serving Deel’s CEO, Alex Bouaziz, with necessary legal documents. Efforts by French bailiffs to locate Bouaziz at his registered Paris address have thus far been unsuccessful, as reported by the Irish newspaper, the Business Post.

In light of these difficulties, Rippling may consider the option of serving Bouaziz via email, according to the same report.

Bouaziz’s Nomadic Lifestyle

Alex Bouaziz, who has been described as “highly nomadic,” maintains a strong connection to France while frequently listing his current location as Tel Aviv on LinkedIn and New York on X, a social media platform. The complexities of his lifestyle may explain the challenges faced by the bailiffs.

Responses from Involved Parties

As of now, none of the key parties—including Deel, Rippling, or Bouaziz—have publicly commented on the ongoing situation or the specifics of the lawsuit.