Ƶ

Non Compete Letter for the United States

Non Compete Letter Template for United States

A Non-Compete Letter is a legally binding document used in the United States that restricts an employee from working for competitors or starting a competing business for a specified period after their employment ends. The enforceability varies significantly by state, with some jurisdictions like California largely prohibiting such agreements. The document typically specifies the duration, geographic scope, and nature of restricted activities, while ensuring reasonable limitations to protect legitimate business interests.

Your data doesn't train Genie's AI

You keep IP ownership of your information

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Download a Standard Template

4.6 / 5
4.8 / 5
Access for free
OR

Alternatively: Run an advanced review of an existing
Non Compete Letter

Let Ƶ's market-leading legal AI identify missing terms, unusual language, compliance issues and more - in just seconds.

What is a Non Compete Letter?

The Non Compete Letter serves as a crucial tool for businesses to protect their legitimate interests, trade secrets, and competitive advantage in the U.S. market. This document is typically implemented during hiring, promotion, or separation processes, establishing clear boundaries for post-employment competition. The agreement must balance employer protection with reasonable restrictions, considering state-specific regulations that may limit or prohibit such restrictions. While some states enforce these agreements readily, others like California generally void them except in very limited circumstances such as business sales. The document should specify duration, geographic scope, and prohibited activities while providing adequate consideration to ensure enforceability.

What sections should be included in a Non Compete Letter?

1. Identification of Parties: Names and details of the employer and employee, including full legal names and addresses

2. Duration of Restriction: Clear specification of the time period for which the non-compete obligations apply, ensuring compliance with state laws

3. Geographic Scope: Detailed description of physical boundaries where restrictions apply, including specific states, regions, or radius from business locations

4. Restricted Activities: Comprehensive list of specific activities or types of work restricted under the agreement

5. Consideration: Details of what the employee receives in exchange for the restriction (monetary or other benefits)

What sections are optional to include in a Non Compete Letter?

1. Garden Leave Provisions: Optional provisions for period where employee remains employed but not working, typically used for senior executives or high-risk positions

2. Non-Solicitation Clause: Additional restrictions on contacting clients/employees, recommended for client-facing roles or management positions

3. Confidentiality Provisions: Additional provisions for protection of confidential information, recommended when a separate NDA is not in place

4. Severability Clause: Provisions ensuring that if one part of the agreement is found unenforceable, the rest remains valid

What schedules should be included in a Non Compete Letter?

1. Schedule A - List of Competitors: Comprehensive list of specific companies or organizations considered competitors

2. Schedule B - Territory Map: Visual representation and detailed description of geographic restrictions

3. Schedule C - Compensation Details: Detailed breakdown of consideration being provided for the non-compete agreement

Authors

Alex Denne

Head of Growth (Open Source Law) @ Ƶ | 3 x UCL-Certified in Contract Law & Drafting | 4+ Years Managing 1M+ Legal Documents | Serial Founder & Legal AI Author

Jurisdiction

United States

Publisher

Ƶ

Cost

Free to use
Clauses
























Industries

State-Specific Laws: Non-compete laws vary significantly by state. Some states like California largely prohibit non-competes, while others like Florida have specific statutory requirements. States may have different duration and geographic scope limitations.

Federal Trade Commission Proposed Rule: 2023 FTC proposed rule to ban non-compete clauses nationwide, which could significantly impact the enforceability of non-compete agreements.

Federal Antitrust Laws: Federal antitrust regulations that may impact the scope and enforceability of non-compete agreements, including considerations from the Biden Administration's Executive Order on Promoting Competition (2021).

Reasonable Scope Requirements: Legal principle requiring non-compete agreements to have reasonable restrictions in terms of duration, geographic area, and scope of prohibited activities.

Legitimate Business Interests: Legal requirement that non-compete agreements must protect legitimate business interests such as trade secrets, confidential information, or customer relationships.

Consideration Requirements: Legal principle requiring that employees must receive something of value (consideration) in exchange for signing a non-compete agreement.

State Case Law: Relevant court decisions and precedents specific to each state regarding the enforceability of non-compete agreements and reasonable restrictions.

Blue Pencil Doctrine: Legal principle allowing courts to modify or strike unreasonable provisions while maintaining enforceable portions of the agreement.

Industry-Specific Regulations: Special restrictions and requirements for non-compete agreements in specific industries such as healthcare, technology, and professional services.

Employee Classification Considerations: Different rules and requirements for non-compete agreements based on employee classification (executives, regular employees, independent contractors) and wage thresholds.

Teams

Employer, Employee, Start Date, Job Title, Department, Location, Probationary Period, Notice Period, Salary, Overtime, Vacation Pay, Statutory Holidays, Benefits, Bonus, Expenses, Working Hours, Rest Breaks,  Leaves of Absence, Confidentiality, Intellectual Property, Non-Solicitation, Non-Competition, Code of Conduct, Termination,  Severance Pay, Governing Law, Entire Agreemen

Find the exact document you need

Standard NDA Terms

A U.S.-compliant agreement establishing standard terms for protecting confidential information shared between parties.

Download

Nda Agreement For Employees

A U.S.-compliant confidentiality agreement between employer and employee protecting company trade secrets and confidential information while maintaining legal compliance.

Download

Full Form Nda

U.S.-governed comprehensive non-disclosure agreement for protecting confidential information in complex business relationships.

Download

Confidential Non Disclosure Agreement

A U.S.-law governed agreement protecting confidential information shared between parties during business relationships or negotiations.

Download

Nda For Selling A Business

U.S.-compliant non-disclosure agreement protecting confidential information during business sale transactions and due diligence processes.

Download

Limited License Software

A U.S.-governed agreement defining terms and conditions for limited software usage rights between a licensor and licensee.

Download

NDA Between Two People

A U.S.-compliant non-disclosure agreement between two individuals for protecting confidential information exchanges.

Download

Nda For Graphic Designers

U.S.-compliant NDA specifically crafted for graphic designers, protecting confidential information and design assets in professional design relationships.

Download

Confidentiality And Non Disclosure Agreement For Employees

A US-governed agreement protecting company confidential information and trade secrets in employment relationships, including federal whistleblower provisions.

Download

Job Offer Letter With Terms And Conditions

A U.S.-compliant formal document combining a job offer with detailed employment terms and conditions.

Download

Non Disclosure Agreement With External Auditors

A U.S.-governed agreement protecting confidential information shared between an organization and its external auditors.

Download

NDA For Company

A U.S.-governed legal agreement protecting company confidential information from unauthorized disclosure.

Download

NDA For Data Security

A U.S.-compliant confidentiality agreement specifically focused on data security requirements and protections.

Download

Documentary Lc

A US-governed banking instrument that guarantees payment in international trade transactions upon presentation of compliant documents, subject to UCC Article 5 and UCP 600.

Download

Non Disclosure Agreement Termination Clause

A U.S.-compliant legal document that terminates an existing Non-Disclosure Agreement while establishing post-termination obligations and confidential information handling procedures.

Download

Non Disclosure Agreement For Contract Employees

A U.S.-compliant agreement protecting company confidential information shared with contract employees.

Download

Staffing Agency Agreement Temporary And Permanent Contract

A U.S.-governed agreement between staffing agencies and clients for temporary and permanent staffing services, ensuring compliance with federal and state employment laws.

Download

Co Owner Contract

A U.S.-governed legal agreement establishing terms and conditions for shared ownership between multiple parties.

Download

Non Disclosure Agreement Between Partners

A U.S.-governed agreement protecting confidential information exchanged between business partners.

Download

Non Disclosure Agreement Confidentiality Agreement

A U.S.-governed agreement that protects confidential information shared between parties by establishing legally binding non-disclosure obligations.

Download

Non Defamation Agreement

A U.S.-governed agreement preventing parties from making defamatory statements about each other.

Download

Nda For Photographer

U.S.-compliant non-disclosure agreement for photography services, protecting client confidentiality while addressing modern photography practices and portfolio rights.

Download

Nda For Service Provider

U.S.-compliant Non-Disclosure Agreement for protecting confidential information when engaging service providers or contractors.

Download

Script Non Disclosure Agreement

A U.S.-governed legal agreement protecting the confidentiality of scripts shared with industry professionals.

Download

NDA Multiple Parties

A U.S.-governed agreement establishing confidentiality obligations between three or more parties sharing sensitive information.

Download

1 Year Contract Employment

A U.S.-governed one-year employment contract defining terms and conditions between employer and employee.

Download

NDA For Business Sale

A U.S.-compliant confidentiality agreement protecting sensitive information during business sale negotiations.

Download

Mutual Non Disclosure Non Compete Agreement

A U.S.-governed bilateral agreement combining confidentiality obligations and competitive restrictions between parties, subject to state-specific enforcement regulations.

Download

Non Compete Letter To New Employer

A U.S. legal document informing new employers about existing non-compete obligations and ensuring compliance.

Download

NDA For An Idea

A U.S.-governed agreement protecting confidential information about an original idea shared between parties.

Download

Unlimited Software License

A US-governed agreement granting unlimited rights to use licensed software, including perpetual use and multiple installation rights.

Download

Non Disclosure Employee Agreement

A US-governed agreement establishing employee confidentiality obligations to protect company confidential information and trade secrets.

Download

Non Disclosure Agreement Document

A U.S.-governed legal agreement protecting confidential information shared between parties.

Download

Non Disclosure Agreement Between Lawyer And Client

A U.S.-governed confidentiality agreement establishing privacy obligations between attorneys and their clients, supplementing standard attorney-client privilege protections.

Download

Non Compete For Independent Contractors

A U.S. legal agreement restricting an independent contractor's ability to compete with a business during and after their engagement, subject to state-specific regulations.

Download

NDA Product Design

A U.S.-governed agreement protecting confidential information in product design collaborations.

Download

NDA Mergers And Acquisitions

A U.S.-compliant NDA specifically designed to protect confidential information exchanged during M&A transactions.

Download

Nda For Website Development

U.S.-compliant NDA for protecting confidential information in website development projects, including source code, designs, and business data.

Download

NDA For Beta Testers

A U.S.-compliant confidentiality agreement protecting proprietary information during beta testing of software products.

Download

Online Nda Agreement

U.S.-compliant online non-disclosure agreement template with electronic signature capabilities, suitable for protecting confidential information in digital business relationships.

Download
See more related templates

ұԾ’s Security Promise

Genie is the safest place to draft. Here’s how we prioritise your privacy and security.

Your documents are private:

We do not train on your data; ұԾ’s AI improves independently

All data stored on Genie is private to your organisation

Your documents are protected:

Your documents are protected by ultra-secure 256-bit encryption

We are ISO27001 certified, so your data is secure

Organizational security:

You retain IP ownership of your documents and their information

You have full control over your data and who gets to see it