The possibility of actively or not actively recruiting customers outside
Based on the relevant regulations, it is permitted to limit the franchisee’s active solicitation activities to its exclusive territory. In that area, the franchisee can then freely advertise and acquire customers in any other way. In that case, the franchisor should not impose any restrictions on the franchisee in actively acquiring customers within the exclusive territory. It is of course possible that certain advertisements end up outside the exclusive territory of the relevant franchisee, whether or not via the internet.
It follows from the above that when a customer, who is not located in the franchisee’s exclusive territory, turns to this franchisee, the franchisee is free to do business with this customer. This also applies, of course, if such customer contact is established via the internet or a catalogue. In that context, however, a franchisee may be prohibited from actively distributing e-mails outside its exclusive territory. This is what is known as active recruitment. In other words: if there is active sales, the possibilities of a franchisee can be limited. In summary, the above means that if a franchisor allocates an exclusive territory to its franchisee, the franchisee must have considerable freedom in acquiring customers in that territory; the so-called active sale. The franchisor can only impose restrictions if the sales activities take place in the area outside the exclusive territory of the relevant franchisee. Often this will also arise from the protection of other franchisees located in that adjacent area, each with its own exclusive area.
Ludwig & Van Dam franchise attorneys, franchise legal advice
Other messages
Non-competition clause unreasonably onerous
Non-competition clause unreasonably onerous
Ludwig & Van Dam main sponsor partner National Franchise Congress 4 October 2012
The world goes on. And it seems to be getting faster and faster. It took 130,000 years before we invented the steam engine around 1750.
Failure to provide the data underlying the forecasts will justify dissolution
Failure to provide information on which the forecasts are based is possible
Non-competition clause in the franchise agreement should not be lightly brushed aside due to (alleged) incorrect forecasting and non-performance and/or reasonableness and fairness
The Court of Appeal of 's-Hertogenbosch recently ruled on the question whether a franchisee is
Rent goodwill in franchise relationship
Rent goodwill in franchise relationship
Terms of payment
Franchisees and franchisors regularly send invoices to each other (and also to third parties).