46 S.E.2d 346 | Ga. | 1948
1. Contracts in general restraint of trade are void. Code, § 20-504. A contract concerning a lawful and useful business in partial restraint of trade and reasonably limited as to time and territory is not void. Hood v. Legg,
2. The contract in this case, restricting the right of the defendant Sorrells to engage in the business of roasting and blending coffee, and reasonably limited in time to five years, and in territory to the "Greater Atlanta Area," is valid and enforceable.
3. Misjoinder of parties and causes of action can only be taken advantage of by special demurrer. Riley v. Royal Arcanum,
4. The trial court's rulings excepted to were limited to the general demurrers of the defendant, and argument by counsel for the plaintiff in error in his brief that there was a misjoinder of parties and actions presents no question for review by this court.
Judgment affirmed. All the Justices concur, except Bell, J., absent on account of illness, and Wyatt, J., who took no part in the consideration or decision of this case.
The prayers of the petition were: that Sorrells be temporarily and permanently enjoined and restrained, through August 27, 1952, from engaging in the coffee business within the Greater Atlanta Area; that Atlanta Coffee Tea Company be temporarily and permanently restrained and enjoined through August 27, 1952, from directly or indirectly aiding and abetting Sorrells to further violate his contract with the petitioner; and for other relief.
By amendment it was alleged that W. H. Black was the sole owner of Atlanta Coffee Tea Company, and therefore a party defendant in the action. Black and Sorrells demurred generally and specially to the petition. The general demurrers were overruled, and Sorrells was temporarily enjoined from being employed in any manner by Black, doing business as Atlanta Coffee Tea Company, or in any other coffee business within the greater Atlanta area. The order against Black, temporarily restraining his employment of Sorrells, was dissolved. The exception here is to the overruling of the general demurrers of Sorrells and Black.