Competing Against An Employer

[misterthom]

My question involves business law in the state of: california

I am an independent contractor for company X - on commission only - doing lead generation. I have no non-compete or confidentiality agreement with them. I am now a competitor, and still on commission with company X.

1) Can I use the leads I generate for Company X for my own company? For email blasts, etc? I'm only paid by company X when a lead closes, not by the lead. I use online marketing systems I own the systems used to generate leads for company X. Company X does not pay for any marketing materials that bring leads in.

2) Am I in any potential legal troubles by working for company X while I run my own competitor. They won't find out for some time.

3) Should I stop working for Company X, or stick around until they find out I am a competitor?

[LawResearcherMissy]

1) You shouldn't.

2) Possibly.

3) That depends on how hard you want to be fired when they find out. Personally, I'd leave Company X and avoid the conflict of interests.