[manfredo]

From the original comment

> So too if you exit a professional practice and get bought out. Same principle. You get paid for the goodwill value and you should not be able to capitalize on the payment and simultaneously raid the goodwill of your former practice by competing against it. Fair and reasonable even though it restricts you in your livelihood.

Unless "professional practice" specifically refers to something like being the partner of a law firm it does sound like it's saying that the spirit of non-competes should apply between employee-employer relationships.

Even then it seems like a bad thing you advocate. If I am at a law firm and I think I would be better served to go form my own practice, I shouldn't refrain from doing so out of some sense of goodwill on part of my previous practice. Sure, it may be a bad idea to burn bridges - but that's done out of a desire to maintain good relations and reputation, not because it's immoral to compete withy past employer.

[kiriakasis]

There is a "get bought out." mention in the text you quote.

If you get a fair compensation to end your job then a NC is justifiable.