As you mentioned it I was to reiterate: you can negotiate on anything. Every time I had a non-compete clause in the contract (fortunately not that ubiquitous in Germany) I negotiated with the company to take it out & every time they eventually agreed (once I had to reached a compromise that I should inform them of such projects but the IP remains mine).
A lot of the time you'll hear "oh this is a standard contract, everyone signs it & we don't make exceptions". If they want you bad enough they will make an exception.
If they want you bad enough they will make an exception.
Most people don't have the luxury of walking away from an employer that won't make an exception with the confidence that they can find an employer who will.
A lot of the time you'll hear "oh this is a standard contract, everyone signs it & we don't make exceptions". If they want you bad enough they will make an exception.