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Summary of differences between federal and state regulations
The state of Tennessee prohibits contracts which restrict competition. To the extent that this might affect non-compete agreements may be left up to the courts.
Whether or not a non-compete agreement is a legal and binding contract may depend on the scope of the restrictions the agreement includes, precedents set in court decisions, and a variety of other factors.
Typically courts do not want to deprive employees of earning a living in their chosen fields, but they also want to protect companies. So, a non-compete agreement might be enforceable, but only if it is reasonable in scope and necessary to protect the company's interests.
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Regulations
Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 47, Chapter 25, Part 1, Section §47-25-101 Trusts, etc., lessening competition or controlling prices unlawful and void
All arrangements, contracts, agreements, trusts, or combinations between persons or corporations made with a view to lessen, or which tend to lessen, full and free competition in the importation or sale of articles imported into this state, or in the manufacture or sale of articles of domestic growth or of domestic raw material, and all arrangements, contracts, agreements, trusts, or combinations between persons or corporations designed, or which tend, to advance, reduce, or control the price or the cost to the producer or the consumer of any such product or article, are declared to be against public policy, unlawful, and void.