Re: I signed an NDA, and now I need to work for a similar company

Giulio wrote:
Hi,

I am a professional IT contractor in UK, last year I was working for a
company who made me sign few papers containing a Non Disclosure
Agreement and some clauses that prevented me from working for their
competitors or for their clients.

I've now found a new contract for another company who was their client
and now is gradually closing the collaboration because the former
company can't provide some services they need.

At the time I signed these papers they didn't give me a copy of what I
signed (it's kind of standard procedure, so I didn't bother asking)
but now I can hardly remember the terms. I think

No, you clearly don't.

it was a quite
standard form saying that I can't work for competitors or clients for
an year since the day I left (it will be one year in June) and I
can't reveal their secrets.

About their secrets I've got no problem, I don't have many to spare,
and I'm not willing to use them.

But I'm concerned about the two other clauses, can't work for their
client and can't work for a competitor.

So obtain a copy of the legal contract you agreed to and signed.


In my opinion

Utterly worthless.

this new company I found can't be considered competitor,
because they are not selling the product, (they're just building it in
house because the former company can't provide the service they need).
But they are still clients, as the migration to the new system is very
complex and can't be done quickly. some part of the former company's
software may even stay for long years.

I thought I could ask the new company a paper stating that they are
not competitors of the former one,

Utterly irrelevant.

and that I won't be working on
anything that would damage the former company.

See above.


What do you think I could do?

Kill yourself for being as ignorant as you are.

Do I really have anything to be concerned about?

If you aren't concerned, then why did you post this
absurd illustration of the depths of your legal ignorance?

Should I bother asking them sign this paper?

Be sure to wear your tin-foil hat to court when you,
and the competitor/client get sued in court.


Thank you,
Giulio


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