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Comment by TheKnack | Hacker News Reader

Here's some info on the relevant law as it pertains to California (where AWS is based). TLDR: "non-compete agreements are not enforceable in California"

https://www.callahan-law.com/are-non-competes-enforceable-in...

If you live somewhere else, I don't know if California law would apply or your local laws, so like other said you should consult an attorney who specializes in this area.

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AWS is based in Seattle, Washington, not California.

AWS definitely has offices and employees in California. The enforcement is not about where you're headquartered but where the employee is determined to be working. An employee living full time in California would be protected.

Disclaimer: Not a lawyer.

Not necessarily. Many such contracts also contain a choice of law clause that specifies which state's laws will apply.

For agreements entered into after January 1, 2017, California Labor Code Section 925 clarifies that employers may not require employees––who primarily work and reside in California––to agree to forum-selection and choice-of-law clauses that select non-California forums and/or laws, unless such employee is “individually represented by legal counsel in negotiating the terms of an agreement.”

Correct. California is its own beast when it comes to employment law and franchise law and a host of related issues.

Edit: and I glossed over the part about "employees living full time in California." My bad.

The same "not necessarily" would presumably apply to the choice of law clause as well, for example if California decided they didn't want a company attempting to evade their laws with such a clause, which presumably would be at the discretion of a judge who probably isn't too fond of that behavior.

Right. See my other comment.

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