On April 23rd, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) announced a ban on almost all non-compete provisions, which has sparked immediate legal pushback. The ban, scheduled for implementation on September 4th, 2024, would render most non-compete agreements void and prohibit their future enforcement. However, the FTC faces opposition in federal courts, with at least three cases already challenging the implementation of the Noncompete Rule.
Non-compete provisions typically restrict employees from joining competitors or starting their ventures after leaving their current employment. If the FTC’s ban is upheld, it would prevent companies from enforcing existing non-compete agreements and entering into new ones, and it would mandate employers to inform workers about the unenforceability of their current noncompete agreements. The FTC Rule aims to improve labor market mobility and promote innovation by allowing employees more freedom to pursue new opportunities in the marketplace without contractual barriers, according to the Agency.
In the light of the FTC’s new non-compete ban, employers are advised to reassess their strategies for protecting confidential information, trade secrets, client/customer lists and know-how. Protection of these types of critical company information , commonly referred to as the “secret sauce” of a company’s success, becomes measurably more difficult if an employer can no longer enforce a non- compete agreement. While non-solicitation and non-disclosure clauses remain untouched by the ban, best practice dictates companies should review and potentially reinforce these aspects of their employment agreements, since all of these provisions are often intertwined. Revising employment agreements to implement a non-solicitation of a company’s strategy can be a proactive approach for employers to protect legitimate business interests and thwart risk of unwarranted disclosure of information . This emphasizes the importance of careful drafting and legal consultation with counsel to ensure compliance and effectiveness in preserving business interests and fostering fair competition amidst changing regulatory landscapes.
As legal battles unfold, the outcome will significantly impact how businesses navigate employee contracts and intellectual property protection in the evolving landscape of labor regulations. Stay tuned for updates on the status of the FTC’s Noncompete Rule and its implications for employers and workers alike.
Legal counsel should be promptly consulted on these issues since counsel can assist in assessing and strategizing the best manner in which a company or business can protect it’s confidential information from unwarranted disclosure and dissemination.
Timothy D. Lyons is a senior partner and Co-Chair of the Business Litigation Department of Jardim, Meisner and Susser, P.C.. Mr. Lyons specializes in representing business owners in intra-company disputes, and contract matters at both the pre-litigation and trial stages.
