Free for a Fee

This is another case where the defendant allegedly solicits customers or employees over social media in the face of a restrictive covenant. We recently blogged a couple of cases involving solicitations over LinkedIn. This case involves solicitations over Facebook.

O’Laughlin sold his vet clinic to Joseph. The sale agreement contained a non-compete clause that prohibited him from opening a clinic or soliciting patients or employees within 50 miles of the location he sold. The covenant was valid for five years. He sold the clinic for $750,000.

Six months later, O’Laughlin filed a zoning petition to operate a clinic at a location which was 8 miles from the clinic he sold. He formed an entity, create a Facebook page, purchased equipment, and published a “coming soon” page on Facebook. A link directed users to the prospective location in question.

Joseph filed a lawsuit seeking to enforce the covenant and sought injunctive relief. The trial court entered the injunction. O’Laughlin appealed. On appeal, O’Laughlin argued that he did not actually operate a clinic within the prohibited area, and merely creating a Facebook didn’t amount to a violation. He tried to bill these actions as merely “preparatory”. The court is not persuaded.

As an initial matter, the language of the restrictive covenant was broad. It did not cover just the veterinary practice. It also covered engaging or participating in a competitive business. In the court’s view, this encompasses forming an entity, purchasing an equipment, and applying for a zoning exception.

The court also focuses on his solicitation of customers through social media. The court finds his operation of a Facebook page and communications with prospective customers violated the clause:

more

Case citation: Joseph v. O’Laughlin, 2017 WL 3599048 (Pa. Super Ct. Aug. 22, 2017)

The content in this post was found at http://blog.ericgoldman.org/archives/2017/09/non-compete-applies-to-facebook-page-for-unlaunched-business-joseph-v-olaughlin.htm and was not authored by the moderators of freeforafee.com. Clicking the title link will take you to the source of the post.