Q: If you didn’t sign a non-compete agreement, you are free to compete in any way you want right?
A: Nope, not really.
Q: You can use any information you have and start a new business?
A: Wrong.
Q: You can solicit old clients if you didn’t agree to do otherwise, right?
A: Maybe Wrong.
Under Virginia common law (case law) and code (statutes) you have certain obligations as an employee regardless of whether or not you signed a non-compete agreement.
How do you know what these obligations are?
Read Dan’s new article on Trade Secrets in Virginia
or
Read my article on employee Obligations not written in employment agreements
You need to know this stuff before you operate on incorrect assumptions. Otherwise, you may be setting yourself up for a lawsuit.