Case Summary
**Case Summary: Computer Task Group, Inc. v. Brotby**
**Docket Number:** 7860688
**Court:** United States District Court
**Year:** 2006
**Overview:**
The case of Computer Task Group, Inc. v. Brotby centers around a dispute involving employment and non-compete agreements. Computer Task Group, Inc. (CTG), a staffing and consulting firm, brought a lawsuit against Michael Brotby, a former employee, for allegedly violating the terms of his non-compete agreement after leaving the company.
**Facts:**
- Michael Brotby was employed by CTG and had signed a non-compete agreement, which restricted him from working for competitors or starting a similar business within a designated geographical area for a specific period following his departure from CTG.
- After leaving CTG, Brotby accepted a position with a competing firm, which CTG claimed was in direct violation of the non-compete clause he had agreed to.
- CTG sought an injunction to prevent Brotby from continuing his employment with the competitor and requested monetary damages for the breach of contract.
**Legal Issues:**
- The enforceability of the non-compete agreement: CTG argued that the agreement was valid and should be enforced, while Brotby contended that the restrictions were overly broad and unreasonable.
- The balance of equities: The court needed to consider whether the harm to CTG from Brotby’s employment outweighed the potential harm to Brotby if he were restrained from working in his field.
**Court's Decision:**
The court assessed the validity of the non-compete agreement, taking into account factors such as:
- The reasonableness of the time and geographical restrictions
- The necessity of protecting CTG's legitimate business interests
- The impact on Brotby's ability to earn a livelihood
Ultimately, the court ruled in favor of Brotby, determining that the non-compete agreement was overly restrictive and unenforceable as written. The judge emphasized the importance of balancing the protection of business interests with the rights of individuals to pursue their careers.
**Conclusion:**
The ruling in Computer Task Group, Inc. v. Brotby highlighted the legal principles surrounding non-compete agreements, particularly the need for such agreements to be reasonable in scope and duration. This case serves as a reference point for similar future disputes regarding employment contracts and the enforceability of restrictive covenants in the workforce.