What is the purpose of a "non-compete clause" in a contract?

The purpose of a "non-compete clause" in a contract is to restrict one party from competing with another for a defined period. This clause is typically included in employment contracts, business sale agreements, or partnership agreements to protect a company’s legitimate business interests, such as trade secrets, proprietary information, or customer relationships. By preventing the departing employee or business partner from immediately entering into a similar business or working with a competitor, the clause helps to maintain the competitive advantage of the original party.

Non-compete clauses aim to limit the potential for direct competition and safeguard the investment the original party has made in their business, which includes training, client relationships, and confidential business practices. This allows the original party to operate without the fear of immediate competition from someone with insider knowledge of their operations.