Legality depend on the place (country, state). They're legal in some cases but with restriction. For example in France it's legal, but with conditions: * it m

Legality depend on the place (country, state). They're legal in some cases but with restriction. For example in France it's legal, but with conditions: * it must be limited in time (e.g. usually max 2 years) and space (e.g. same city, not the whole country) * if they want to "activate" the non-compete they have to pay you something like 30% of what you were making for the time they want to block you * it shouldn't prevent you to get a job, meaning they can prevent you from going to the direct competitor but not block you for the whole industry