The big picture: Many companies, including those in the tech sector, often use noncompete agreements to prevent employee poaching. However, the US Federal Trade Commission now deems this practice unfair, asserting that companies have alternative methods to safeguard their intellectual property. The commission anticipates that banning nearly all noncompete agreements will enhance working conditions and foster innovation.
Something to look forward to: Lawmakers around the world have begun to exhibit a more proactive stance toward openness and competition in mobile ecosystems. Apple and Google, the companies controlling the global mobile market with their respective operating systems, will face heightened scrutiny and stricter penalties if they violate regulations.