Starting a New Business with former clients of other corporation?
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Starting a New Business with former clients of other corporation?
I was a sales representative for a company for the past 4 years. I also maintained all of the company books, internal operations, etc. Recently I was forced out of the company. None of the clients had signed contracts with the former company and I never signed a contract or a non-compete when I was with the former company.Question I have is 2 parts. 1) I want to make sure it is ok to just let my customres know I am at a new company name.2) I want to make sure my former company is not allowed to smear my name with my clients.
Asked on June 3, 2009 under Business Law, Florida
Answers:
B. B., Member, New Jersey Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 14 years ago | Contributor
I'm not a Florida attorney, but from what you've written, it sounds to me as if the first part of your question isn't a problem. The second part is a different story.
You have a right to make a living. If there had been a non-competition agreement, most states' courts only allow them to be what's reasonable under the circumstances, in time and distance, and they are read against the former employer, mostly. With nothing in writing, it's likely that your only obligation is not to use their confidential information such as bank account numbers.
This is an area of the law that may vary some from state to state, and what you're selling might make a difference, along with any other facts you haven't mentioned. For reliable advice, you need to see a lawyer from your area, and one place to look for attorneys is our website, http://attorneypages.com
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