This is a topic that occasionally comes up with respect to geographic limits on Texas noncompetes.
If the noncompete provision contains a 10-mile geographic scope, does that mean ten miles measured in driving distance or ten miles through the air? Sometimes, this is an important distinction, because a particular point might be ten miles away through the air, but 10.5 miles away per Google Maps.
There is not much case law on this issue. However, a 2018 case from a federal district court in Dallas contained this holding:
[T]he non-compete as written is ambiguous. The non-compete prohibits former employees from working for a TrueBlue competitor located in “any area within 25 miles” of Defendants’ former TrueBlue office, but fails to specify how that distance is measured. Courts diverge in how to calculate distance when a covenant lacks the express language, but many resolve such ambiguities against the drafter. Thus, because Electrical Talent is located more than 25 road-miles away from the TrueBlue office, Doc. 15, Defs.’ Resp., 7, TrueBlue has not met its burden to show that Defendants are violating the non-compete by working at Electrical Talent.
So, depending upon the language in the noncompete provision at issue, the geographic scope may be measured in “road miles” or “as the crow flies.” And in some cases, this difference can make all the difference.
Related Posts:
- 15 Questions People Ask Most About Texas Noncompete Agreements (1/25/2024)
- Are Non-Compete Agreements Enforceable in Texas in 2024? (12/12/2023)
- No, the Biden Administration Has Not Banned Non-Compete Agreements (4/24/2023)
- Sample Texas Noncompete Agreement (and Why Using a Free Template Is a Bad Idea) (3/2/2023)
- Are Texas Noncompete Agreements Enforceable if the Employee Is Fired? (2/9/2023)
- Do Texas noncompete agreements apply to independent contractors? (3/7/2022)
- Do I need to have my employees sign non compete agreements? (10/6/2017)
- Can A Noncompete Be Extended If It Is Violated? (2/3/2017)
- Who Can Get Attorneys’ Fees in a Non-Compete Action? (1/25/2017)
- Geographic Limitations on Texas Non Competes? (10/17/2016)