California § 16600. 16600. (Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 828, Sec. 1.)

California Statutes

§ 16600. — 16600. (Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 828, Sec. 1.)

California § 16600.

JurisdictionCalifornia

Code BPCBusiness and Professions Code - BPC

Div. 7.DIVISION 7. GENERAL BUSINESS REGULATIONS

Part 2.PART 2. PRESERVATION AND REGULATION OF COMPETITION

Ch. 1.CHAPTER 1. Contracts in Restraint of Trade

This text of California § 16600. (16600. (Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 828, Sec. 1.)) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering California primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC Code § 16600. (2026).

Text

(a)Except as provided in this chapter, every contract by which anyone is restrained from engaging in a lawful profession, trade, or business of any kind is to that extent void.

(b)

(1)This section shall be read broadly, in accordance with Edwards v. Arthur Andersen LLP (2008) 44 Cal.4th 937, to void the application of any noncompete agreement in an employment context, or any noncompete clause in an employment contract, no matter how narrowly tailored, that does not satisfy an exception in this chapter.

(2)This subdivision does not constitute a change in, but is declaratory of, existing law.

(c)This section shall not be limited to contracts where the person being restrained from engaging in a lawful profession, trade, or business is a party to the contract.

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(a)
Except as provided in this chapter, every contract by which anyone is restrained from engaging in a lawful profession, trade, or business of any kind is to that extent void.
(b)
(1)
This section shall be read broadly, in accordance with Edwards v. Arthur Andersen LLP (2008) 44 Cal.4th 937, to void the application of any noncompete agreement in an employment context, or any noncompete clause in an employment contract, no matter how narrowly tailored, that does not satisfy an exception in this chapter.
(2)
This subdivision does not constitute a change in, but is declaratory
of, existing law.
(c)
This section shall not be limited to contracts where the person being restrained from engaging in a lawful profession, trade, or business is a party to the contract.