Uber is well within their rights to pay for Lyft rides and solicit their drivers, and Lyft has every right to implement systems to prevent Uber's tactics. If w

Uber is well within their rights to pay for Lyft rides and solicit their drivers, and Lyft has every right to implement systems to prevent Uber's tactics. If what Uber says is true regarding their denial of intentional cancellations, then I have no issue with what they're doing. These drivers are not Lyft employees. They are independent contractors providing their services and will jump ship at the prospect of making more money elsewhere. I have spoken to dozens of drivers, and there is no sense of loyalty. They are not under contract to work exclusively with Lyft. In fact many drivers are using both services simultaneously. The analogy used by Jason Fried about entering an engineer's office really does not apply. An engineer does not interface with their customers and the outside word in their office. There is a sanctity to someone's office, and a barrier that separates work from the world, that does not apply to cab cars. A driver's job is to open their office and to invite in the world, and little is off limits. I have spoken to drivers about everything from racism to politics, to soccer, and mentioning another car service and how it may benefit them more hardly seems to violate some sort of unwritten code of ethics. I as a customer cannot storm into your cubicle and do the same. I said this on twitter, but I'll say it here too: What Uber is doing is no different than paying for a haircut at a barbershop, sitting in the barber's chair, striking up conversation, and suggesting they join your high-end boutique. That's sales, that's competition, that's business.