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Non-Competition and Trade Secrets
Non-Competition Agreements
A non-competition agreement is an employment contract used by employers to limit the ability of an employee to compete with the employer.

When Will a Court Enforce a Non-Competition Agreement?

Whether a court will uphold a non-competition agreement often depends upon the jurisdiction. Some states do not enforce them at all, while some will uphold them only in connection with the sale of a business.

In states where non-competition agreements are enforceable, courts generally will enforce a non-competition agreement when an employer can prove that a non-competition agreement is necessary to protect legitimate business interests, the agreement is reasonably limited in scope and duration, and the employee received consideration, or a benefit, in exchange for agreeing to it.

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Non-Competition Agreements By State
October 15, 2008

Each state has different requirements for the enforceability of a non-competition agreement. Click below to learn more about the requirements in your state.

Alabama Illinois Montana Puerto Rico
Alaska Indiana Nebraska Rhode Island
Arizona Iowa Nevada South Carolina
Arkansas Kansas New Hampshire South Dakota
California Kentucky New Jersey Tennessee
Colorado Louisiana New Mexico Texas
Connecticut Maine New York Utah
Delaware Maryland North Carolina Vermont
District of Columbia
Massachusetts North Dakota Virginia
Florida Michigan Ohio Washington
GeorgiaMinnesota Oklahoma West Virginia
Hawaii Mississippi Oregon Wisconsin
Idaho Missouri Pennsylvania Wyoming
 
Same Sex Marriage in the States
Click map for specifics

 
 Marriage restricted to man and woman
 
 Issues marriage licenses to same-sex couples
 
 No prohibition of same-sex marriages
 
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