Excusable infringement of territory exclusivity

The District Court of Rotterdam recently ruled on a matter concerning infringement of the agreed district exclusivity. The franchise agreement stipulated that the franchisee enjoyed the exclusive right to operate the formula within a radius of 15 kilometers from its location. In fact, however, several branches of the franchisor were located within a radius of 15 kilometers. Franchisee claimed to suffer damage as a result of this infringement. The franchisee requested an injunction in interlocutory proceedings subject to forfeiture of a penalty. The court rules that the alleged damage by the franchisee has not been substantiated or has not been sufficiently substantiated and that there is therefore no urgent interest in instituting such a claim in summary proceedings. The court also considers that the exclusivity was in fact not complied with and the franchisee was also aware of this. Moreover, the franchisee had failed to protest in time. The franchisee’s claims were rejected in full.

The foregoing means that franchisees cannot lightly invoke provisions in the franchise agreement without a well-founded interest if the parties actually act differently over a long period of time. In those cases, the exceeding of the standard may be excusable. For franchisors, it is therefore easier to enforce standards that are exceeded if the provisions are observed more strictly in practice and if the policy to this effect is clear. In particular, franchisees must protest in good time. 

 

mr  J. Sterk – franchise lawyer

Ludwig & Van Dam Franchise attorneys, franchise legal advice Would you like to respond? Mail to info@ludwigvandam.nl

Other messages

Article De Nationale Franchise Gids: “Non-compete clause: ‘the devil is in the details'” – mr. C. Damen – dated April 2, 2021

In a judgment of 20 January 2021, the Rotterdam court ...

Article Franchise+: “The importance of know-how in the context of a non-compete and non-solicitation clause” – mr. K. Bastiaans – dated March 10, 2021

In its judgment of 24 February 2010, the provisional relief ...

By mr. K. Bastiaans|10-03-2021|Categories: Statements & current affairs|

Article De Nationale Franchise Gids: “The Franchise Act: what should I do with it?” – mr. DL van Dam – dated March 9, 2021

It has of course not escaped the attention of most ...

By mr. D.L. van Dam|09-03-2021|Categories: Franchise Knowledge Center / National Franchise and Formula Letter Publications|
Go to Top