Companies argue that this is necessary to attract and motivate top talent, and is the price they pay to induce executives to sign noncompete agreements.

There is nothing unusual about companies asking executives and even rank-and-file workers to sign noncompete clauses.

At last five executives signed the second response paper responding favorably to the farmers' appeal.

But the two companies did not make any announcement because their lawyers were still hammering out differences over the interpretation of technical details before executives sign the agreement.

On the 21st floor, clapping erupted as both executives signed and shook hands on the deal.

On October 18, five executives signed documents promising that the taxes would be lowered.

The executive, whose name was not disclosed, signed what is known as a non-disclosure contract with his company when he departed.

They toured with Fishbone, and executives at 510 signed them after attending their show at the South by Southwest convention.

The executive had signed a confidentiality agreement with Brown & Williamson.

But over 30 retail executives signed a letter to President Clinton warning that "the ramifications of the strike are alarming," and urging him to intervene.