'....with the companies agreeing Papermaster "shall not use or disclose any IBM confidential information." ..'

Isn't that what Papermaster agreed to do anyway as part of his normal contract termination terms?

Sprinkle some Guantanamo Dust over the Play. It appears to be the US IP Blockade Mechanism.

Surely Non-Compete type clauses are a Violation of Human Rights specifically designed to extraordinarily render an Ignorant Advantage to an Arrogant ...... Ogre?

So much for that Bastion of Free Trade and Land of Can Do Dreams.

A Bubble Burst and being Burst from Within because of its Selfish Incestuous DNA Profile?

The key here isn't for IBM to win, but to slow down the hiring process.

The information these key executives have is time sensitive. If you can get them to delay their hiring by 6 months, then the effort was worth it.

Just FYI... in some of these contracts there are two or more clauses that restricts where you can go to work post IBM... One clause is overly restrictive and worthless. The second clause usually contains one or two companies and is probably enforceable.

As to the lawyers, they are in house counsel so their fees are paid whether they go to court, or sit around in the break room.