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I am working as an SEM engineer for a California-based eCommerce company, and I want to leave and start my own SEM company. Are there any intellectual property concerns?

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Were you an SEM before hand? Did you learn specific processes, learn specific software programs, tracking systems etc that this company uses that you would use with your new company? Weird crap like that can come into play... but in general be true and honest, and if it doesn't feel ethical then you probably shouldn't do it. BUT - since you won't be taking any customers or anything like that it really shouldn't be an issue. – Ryan Doom Dec 27 '11 at 2:25

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I would think it depends on your contract with your employer (e.g. Anti-Competition Agreements / Non-Compete clauses) which may indicate a cooling off period you have to wait for after leaving the company.

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Also, even if the contract says certain things about non-compete agreements, check on what actually happens in practice. In California for example some of these non-compete issues are void. – Francis Upton Dec 26 '11 at 20:47
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The most important thing is to make sure your are clean in terms of not taking anything that does not belong to you to new company, especially since it's in the same business. Be ethical in the spirit and letter of the law.

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