This conduct is obviously despicable, though certainly not out-of-character for Steve Jobs (all due respect for his talents). However, I generally believe this will resolve (and has been resolving) itself via market mechanisms. The mistaken assumption is that the only competition here is between Apple, Google etc and that it is focused primarily on income.
The market is a lot more subtle than that:
1. Hackers are not simply mercenaries, esp. the best.
2. A decent % of the best are involved in startups, either as founders or early hires.
3. "Acquihires" are a mechanism for the best engineers to get paid more "outside" the system.
4. Aside from industry, there is competition from academia etc.
The market is a lot more subtle than that: