Ftc Non-Compete Ban Articles

FTC Non-Compete Rule Status in 2026 and Freelancer Contract Risk

The practical issue is simple. You can still be asked to sign restrictive language that limits future clients or service lines, even though the federal rule is not in effect. The FTC's 2024 rule was stopped on August 20, 2024, before its planned September 4, 2024 effective date. In 2025, the Commission voted to dismiss its appeal and accede to vacatur, and it later [removed the Non-Compete Rule from the Code of Federal Regulations](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/02/12/2026-02866/revision-of-the-negative-option-rule-withdrawal-of-the-cars-rule-removal-of-the-non-compete-rule-to) effective February 12, 2026.