No non-compete violation by franchisee – February 9, 2016 – mr. AW Dolphin
Has a former franchisee violated the non-compete clause by offering services outside an agreed territory? The court thinks not. The non-competition prohibition only applies to own brokerage activities and not to the presentation of brokerage activities of third parties. See the judgment of the interim relief judge of the Central Netherlands District Court of 13 January 2016, ECLI:NL:RBMNE:2016:191 (123Wonen/ex-franchisee).
Franchisor and franchisee had concluded a franchise agreement with regard to a formula for intermediation in, among other things, renting and renting out accommodation. The parties had agreed that after the termination of the franchise agreement, the franchisee was not allowed to carry out brokerage activities with regard to the rental of homes (with the exception of 20 permitted properties) outside a certain geographical area. However, the former franchisee’s website lists more than the 20 excluded objects from outside the agreed upon area. Is there now a violation of the post non-compete clause?
The preliminary relief judge of the district court rules that the post non-competition prohibition only concerns brokerage activities and that the parties have not made any agreements about offering homes in which other estate agents mediate. Now that this has not been sufficiently contested by the former franchisor and further evidence in the context of summary proceedings is limited.
This judgment shows once again that the formulation of a non-competition clause must be done with great care.
mr. AW Dolphijn – Franchise lawyer
Ludwig & Van Dam Franchise attorneys, franchise legal advice. Do you want to respond? Go to dolphijn@ludwigvandam.nl
![](https://ludwigvandam.megaconcept.nl/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/232court-min-400x222.jpg)
Other messages
Success Albert Heijn franchisee against takeover Deen – mr. AW Dolphijn – dated July 29, 2021
An Albert Heijn franchisee has successfully defended itself against the ...
Article Franchise+: “Only with proof of transferred know-how can a non-compete appeal be invoked” – mr. T. Meijer – dated July 26, 2021
On July 16, 2021, the preliminary relief judge of the ...
Judge: “franchisee to move in standstill period” – mr. RCWL Albers – dated July 1, 2021
In recent proceedings before the preliminary relief judge in Utrecht, ...
Article Franchise+: “5 tips for starting franchisees” – mr. RCWL Albers – dated June 30, 2021
Choosing a franchise can be attractive for you as a ...
Supermarket Newsletter – No. 31 –
The Supreme Court still ruled in favor of Albert Heijn ...
Article De Nationale Franchisegids: The consequences of providing an incorrect (turnover and profit) forecast by the franchisor – mr. K. Bastiaans – dated June 9, 2021
In many cases, prior to entering into a franchise agreement, ...