About the Committee
The International Franchising Committee focuses on the law and business of international franchising. Committee interests include:
- competition law principles;
- cross-border sales and licensing issues;
- the business forms employed; and
- trademark and intellectual property protections required to assure franchising success.
The Committee has served and continues to play an educational role for the legal profession, judiciary and legislators, and enables members to examine and comment upon legislative and regulatory proposals affecting international franchising. Through the committee's regular newsletter, International Franchising Committee members are kept up to date on legal developments, seminars and publications of interest around the world.
Forthcoming conferences and webinars View All Conferences
Publications
Franchising in Brazil
Since the Covid-19 pandemic, Brazilian contractual law has evolved considerably, by removing certain legal formalities and regulations that no longer have a place in a virtual and globalised world. Franchising legislation has undergone a similar evolution.
Released on Sep 03, 2023
Encroachment in franchising: the application of the good faith principle by Italian courts
One of the most critical aspects in drafting and managing franchise agreements concerns encroachment. This article will explore the different approaches followed by Italian courts with respect to: (i) the competing activity of the franchisor, selling through parallel sales channels; and (ii) the indirect liability of the franchisor for competing activities enacted among its franchisees.
Released on Sep 03, 2023
Franchising in Pakistan
While there are no laws in Pakistan specific to franchising, the practice is highly prevalent and derives its validity from the general principles of contracts, intellectual property and foreign exchange. This article will explore the legal franchising landscape in Pakistan and discuss the technicalities of repatriating royalties abroad in compliance with regulatory requirements.
Released on Jun 13, 2023
How to handle privileged communications in international arbitration
When parties come together to negotiate International Master Franchise Agreements they focus on royalty splits, development schedules and the boundaries of the territory granted to the master franchisee. Alternative dispute resolution provisions are usually only given little consideration, much less how privileged communications are to be handled if a dispute arises.
Released on Jun 01, 2023
Projects, Reports and Resolutions
Ukraine: Franchising in a Time of War from International Bar Association on Vimeo.
At the 2022 IFA/IBA Joint Conference, Kendal Tyre, partner at Nixon Peabody and Vice Chair of the IBA International Franchising Committee, Volodymyr Yakubokskyy, a partner at Nobles, discussed the impact of the Russian invasion in Ukraine on franchise operations in that country. Volodymyr shared his thoughts on how his practice of law has changed and the long-term consequences of the war on business and franchising in Ukraine.