Non-compete clause

non-compete clause: in the context of restrictive covenants, a contractual clause that seeks to restrict one contracting party (often an employee) from doing business in competition with the other party (often the employer) for a set period of time after their relationship terminates; like any restraint of trade clause, a non-compete clause will be presumed unenforceable on public policy grounds unless the party seeking to enforce it can show that the non-compete clause goes no further than is reasonably necessary to protect its legitimate business interests.