15 USC Section 1, part of the Sherman Act, a federal law passed in 1890 over which California exercises no control: "Every contract, combination in the form of

15 USC Section 1, part of the Sherman Act, a federal law passed in 1890 over which California exercises no control: "Every contract, combination in the form of trust or otherwise, or conspiracy, in restraint of trade or commerce among the several States, or with foreign nations, is declared to be illegal." This applies as much to an agreement among companies not to compete for engineers as it would to an agreement among companies not to compete for any other limited good or service they need to do business. It applies in all states, and has for 124 years.