Violation of Non-Compete Clauses in Berlin

Non-compete clauses are commonly included in the contracts of individuals holding positions of responsibility. Those who possess extensive expertise and knowledge of internal company matters are usually highly sought after by competitors. To prevent such individuals from being recruited away, many employers insist on so-called non-compete clauses that prohibit employees from working for companies in the same sector within a specified period of time. However, the offers are often too tempting for those approached to resist.

Should you suspect that employees bound by non-compete clauses are engaging in misconduct, the corporate detectives of Kurtz Investigations Berlin are your competent and experienced contacts: +49 30 5557 8641-0.

Case Example: Photographer Gone Astray – Our Berlin Detectives Collect Legally Admissible Evidence

Several years ago, the managing director of a Berlin GmbH contacted us to commission the detectives of Kurtz Detective Agency Berlin to observe a freelance employee who was nevertheless bound by competition law restrictions. Specifically, the individual in question was a photographer who produced images for classified advertisements. According to the agreement and contract with the clients of Kurtz Detective Agency Berlin, he was permitted to work exclusively for this Berlin GmbH. However, when numerous images that our clients had ordered exclusively began appearing in advertisements from other providers, suspicion of competitive fraud against the employee grew among the management of the clients of our Berlin detective agency.

The preliminary research conducted by our clients was excellent – something we are very pleased to highlight here. They had already identified one of the regular alternative clients of the target individual. It was a direct competitor company. Accordingly, Kurtz Detective Agency Berlin stationed two surveillance operatives each at the two entrance and exit points of the company premises on four consecutive days. When the target individual had still not been sighted after three days, our clients became nervous, but our Berlin detectives pointed out that a normal working week consists of five days. And indeed: on Thursday our target individual, the photographer in question, finally appeared where he should not have been. Not only did he undoubtedly produce excellent promotional photographs, but our Berlin detectives were also able to photograph the photographer while he was photographing unlawfully and thus expose the competitive fraud.

As you can see: patience pays off. Should you have a similar case, the private detectives and corporate investigators of Kurtz Investigations Berlin will be pleased to assist you: +49 30 5557 8641-0.