Oh well - the damage is already done. To AWS. Not because Corey may know some stuff, but because any new recruit will scrutinize their employment offers from AWS for the non-compete clause and - given this precedent - deny it. It will certainly become more difficult for AWS / Amazon to hire true talent, especially from competitors. And I would be surprised if any industry insider would not have a clear perspective on what is going on at his competitors. Job postings, talks with salespeople from suppliers, local newspapers, discussions with industry analysts — the whole stuff a proper marketeer will do to be good at his role. And: Google will (as AWS) have a development roadmap that is probably well planned for the next 12-18 months. IMHO Corey would not be able to change the course of GCP and their marketing is certainly better than AWS. And don‘t even get me started on the different target audiences of both platforms... So in short: AWS made a big mistake but Corey will have to pay the lawyers.