In WA state, there are limits. Never legal for individuals, on companies. Otherwise they have to treat as employees as the others in their companies. It sell a company, specific and core the uniqueness of the business may be considered. Microsoft lost a case because they were seeking to avoid employee status and stopping individuals. read up on it. I am not a lawyer, but I bet other States have similar ideas when it comes to applying non-competes to individual vs. corporations. Or specific Technical Skills