Washington § 49.44.190 - Noncompetition agreements for broadcasting industry employees — Restrictions — Trade secrets protected. (Effective until June 30, 2027.)

Full text of Washington Revised Code of Washington § 49.44.190 — Noncompetition agreements for broadcasting industry employees — Restrictions — Trade secrets protected. (Effective until June 30, 2027.), with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 49.44.190. Noncompetition agreements for broadcasting industry employees — Restrictions — Trade secrets protected. (Effective until June 30, 2027.)

(1) If an employee subject to an employee noncompetition agreement is terminated without just cause or laid off by action of the employer, the noncompetition agreement is void and unenforceable.
(2) Nothing in this section restricts the right of an employer to protect trade secrets or other proprietary information by lawful means in equity or under applicable law.
(3) Nothing in this section has the effect of terminating, or in any way modifying, any rights or liabilities resulting from an employee noncompetition agreement that was entered into before December 31, 2005.
(4) The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(a) "Employee" means an employee of a broadcasting industry employer other than a sales or management employee.
(b) "Employer" means any person, firm, corporation, partnership, business trust, legal representative, or other entity which engages in any business, industry, profession, or activity in this state and employs one or more employees, and includes the state, counties, cities, and all municipal corporations, public corporations, political subdivisions of the state, and charitable organizations.
(c) "Employee noncompetition agreement" means an agreement, written or oral, express or implied, between an employer and employee under which the employee agrees not to compete, either alone or as an employee of another, with the employer in providing services after termination of employment.
(d) "Broadcasting industry" means employers that distribute or transmit electronic signals to the public at large using television (VHF or UHF), radio (AM, FM, or satellite), or cable television technologies, or which prepare, develop, or create programs or messages to be transmitted by electronic signal using television, radio, or cable technology.
[ 2005 c 176 s 1.]

Source: official Washington text · Last verified 2026-08-27

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Frequently Asked Questions About Washington § 49.44.190

What does Revised Code of Washington § 49.44.190 cover?

Section 49.44.190 ("Noncompetition agreements for broadcasting industry employees — Restrictions — Trade secrets protected. (Effective until June 30, 2027.)") is part of the Revised Code of Washington, the codified statutory law of Washington. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Washington § 49.44.190?

A common citation format is "Revised Code of Washington § 49.44.190" (Washington). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Washington law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Washington official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Washington attorney.

How does Washington § 49.44.190 apply to my situation?

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