About This Blog
Summaries and analysis of recent Delaware court decisions concerning business-related litigation.
Subscribe to Blog
JDSupra RSS
Join us on LinkedIn
Follow us on TwitterTopics
Top Posts
Top News
- February 19, 2021
- October 30, 2020
- April 1, 2024
Archives
Morris James Blogs
Showing 5 posts in non-compete.
Court Of Chancery Provides Guidance On Reconciling Public Policy Exception To Noncompete Agreements
Cabela’s LLC v. Wellman, C.A. 2018-0607-TMR (October 26, 2018)
Delaware law broadly enforces noncompete agreements. However, it will not do so when the public policy of a state with greater contacts to the parties prohibits that enforcement. As this decision explains, how to decide what exactly that competing public policy is may not be easy to do given the exceptions to that policy that frequently exist. Here the Court carefully examines the public policy of Nebraska and finds it permits enforcement of noncompete agreements when to do so will prevent unfair competition. More ›
ShareCourt Of Chancery Limits Non-Compete Agreement
Badger Holding LLC v. Kirsch, C.A. 2017-0147-SG (October 1, 2018)
As this decision points out, if a non-compete agreement conditions its enforcement on the employer’s performance of its end of the bargain, then a failure to do so renders the non-compete unenforceable.
ShareCourt Of Chancery Explains Scope Of Non-Compete Agreement
Lyons Insurance Agency Inc. v. Wilson, C.A. 2017-0092-SG (September 28, 2018)
This is a good decision for its explanation of when a non-compete agreement will be enforced when it does not have a geographical limit. If the agreement speaks to not engaging “in competition with” the former employer, that provides a limit based on what customers the old employer had and is enforceable as a result.
ShareCourt Of Chancery Refines Choice Of Law Analysis For Employment Agreements
Nuvasive Inc. v. Miles, C.A. 2017-0720-SG (September 28, 2018)
Delaware will enforce non-compete agreements against former employees, but generally California law bars such agreements. This decision explains how to determine which state’s law applies by looking to how important is the public policy of each state on the issue before the Court. Because California does enforce a choice of Delaware law when that choice is the subject of negotiation, not coercion, the Delaware choice of law was upheld. Note that under a different California statue then in force, a contrary result was reached in the Ascension Insurance Holdings v.Underwood case.
ShareCourt of Chancery Enjoins Violation of Non-Compete
Zrii LLC v. Wellness Acquisition Group, Inc., C.A. 4374-VCP (September 21, 2009).
This is an interesting case because of the limitations on the remedy imposed for violating a non-competition agreement. The decision illustrates the rule that no matter how wrong the conduct, the remedy of an injunction will be limited to stopping the competition for the period provided for in the agreement. Of course, a damage remedy is also available.
Share
