It was intended to enforce contracts, employment of prisoners and apprenticeships, but there was not sufficient power to enforce clauses in the north, and they were openly flouted.

Companies have found various ways to enforce behavioral clauses.

The Committee was responsible for enforcing non-discrimination clauses in government contracts, worked with private businesses to help them overcome job discrimination, and developed educational programs against ethnic and racial discrimination.

Owners, reacting to what they perceive as public sentiment for law and order, may be inclined to enforce moral clauses in contracts.

"In essence," he said, "they terrorize consumers with visions of dire consequences unless they pay unnecessary fees which guarantee that rental car companies will not enforce legally unenforceable clauses."

Such pacts are thriving in all industries, Mr. Carlinsky said, but particularly in high technology, where an extremely mobile work force and the high value of intellectual property have some companies drafting and trying to enforce strict noncompete clauses for employees at all levels.

Several other news organizations - Brill's Content and Inside.com, among others - decided not to enforce no-disparagement clauses that they had required their employees to sign.

They enforced clauses prohibiting alcohol, dancing, and gambling as a condition on every parcel of land sold.

The specific issue stated was the refusal of some states to enforce the Fugitive Slave Act and clauses in the US Constitution protecting slavery and the federal government's perceived role in attempting to abolish slavery.

Nevada law specifically directs the court to enforce no-contest clauses.