contract-law legal-terms breach-of-contract
Am I breaking the non-compete clause of my job contract?
<p>Suppose that a person W is about to start an internship at a company C soon, W just signed the contract.  one of the clauses reads:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>During the term of this contract, the Employee must not carry out any
activities directly or indirectly in competition with <em>company_name</em>.
The Employee must not have a direct or indirect interest in any
businesses which compete with <em>company_name</em> or with which <em>company_name</em> has a business relationship.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>This is an internship contract, therefore it has a defined end date.</p>
<p>Additionally, suppose that W has signed a contract with another company D, to start working there once the internship finishes (the dates of both contracts do not overlap at any time). This other work is in a very similar position to the one W will  have in the internship but is regular employment.</p>
<p>I know W can not work for another company while doing the internship (because of the clause stated above), but my question is: Is having a contract on another similar company, for once the internship finishes, considered &quot;an indirect interest in a business that competes with <em>company_name</em>&quot;?</p>

<blockquote>
<p>Is having a contract on another similar company, for once the internship finishes, considered &quot;an indirect interest in a business that competes with company_name&quot;?</p>
</blockquote>
<p>No. For purposes of the internship contract, you have no interests in the second company: Whatever happens to that company during your internship is largely inconsequential to you and to your performance at the internship.</p>
<p>Additionally, the similarity of both positions does not imply that the companies are competitors or have a business relationship.</p>
<p>The terms of the clause encompass only the duration of the internship. It cannot be construed in a way that restricts your freedom of contract once the internship ends.</p>
