I really think it's that people are throwing around the term non-compete that's causing the problems. Sounds like the Volagi two don't really know IP law either and think they're being sued under the non-compete when the description sounds nothing like a non-compete and exactly like the IP assignment contract you have to sign. Then they stupidly go around telling everyone that they had the idea (and drew it up on a napkin - documentation of that is really bad for them) while still employed by Specialized and thereby under that IP agreement. Unless Specialized wanted them so bad that they let them modify (or not sign) that boilerplate IP agreement when they were recruited, they are well and truly ****ed. Ah well, such is life. A shame, but it is how it is.