Non-compete employment issue

After working for my company for roughly 1 year I was forced to sign a non-compete. In brief the non-compete said I can not work in the internet related field for 1 year within a 100 mile radius. However, if we did not sign the contract employment would be terminated. As it happened to one person. I am now looking to start my own company, and it is not the same kind, but one of the services is basically the same. My company now only looks for customer in the lehigh valley area, but I will be looking for customers on a much broader basis. Could my current employer sue me, and put a stop to my company?

1 answer  |  asked Mar 6, 2003 12:46 PM [EST]  |  applies to Pennsylvania

Answers (1)

DAVID L. BARGERON
Non-Compete in dot.com

The short answer is Yes - your employer can sue you. But, from the information you provided it is unlikely that your employer will win. Unless you received a benefit (other then continued employment) for signing the non-compete agreement, no enforcable contract was created. All contracts must have an exchange of benefits. For example, a contract to buy a car gives the buyer the benefit of the new car and the seller the benefit of the income. Each party also has a burden - less money and no car.
Should you need further assistance please email me at esqdlb@aol.com

posted by DAVID L. BARGERON  |  Mar 7, 2003 10:45 PM [EST]

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