Interview Franchise+ – mrs. J. Sterk and AW Dolphijn – “Reversal of burden of proof in forecasts approved by court” – February 2018
The new Acquisition Fraud Act indeed appears to be relevant for the franchise industry, according to this article from Franchise+. Alex Dolphijn of Ludwig & Van Dam represents a franchisee in legal proceedings in which the franchisor has been convicted for the first time under the Acquisition Fraud Act. The court states that the franchisor must be able to demonstrate afterwards that the prognosis is correct. The position of franchisees has been greatly strengthened by this ruling. To be able to prove that a franchisor has its affairs in order, the franchisor must come from a good family, explain franchise attorneys Jeroen Sterk and Alex Dolphijn of Ludwig & Van Dam.
Other messages
Developments in competition law
Some time ago, the Netherlands Competition Authority (NMa) made a groundbreaking ruling that is of great importance to all franchise organizations in the Netherlands.
Transfer Arrangements
Franchise agreements usually include transfer arrangements
The right to the formula name upon termination of the franchise relationship
In practice, discussions regularly occur when the franchise relationship is terminated between a franchisor and one or more franchisees
The possibility of actively or not actively recruiting customers outside
Based on the relevant regulations, active recruitment activities by the franchisee are permitted
Customers, clientele and exceptions thereto
Some franchise constructions have the characteristic that the products or services in question are only supplied to certain consumers.
Intellectual property rights
In general, the nature of a franchise relationship implies that, on the basis of a franchise agreement