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Is This a Franchise, or Not?
One of the challenges commonly facing franchise lawyers is that there are several definitions of the term “franchise.” Regardless of whether the parties intend to establish a franchise relationship, if the relationship legally is deemed a “franchise,” certain federal and state laws may apply. However, the definition of “franchise” often varies from statute to statute, and it may be difficult to determine whether a particular statute applies.
For example, one of the typical definitional elements of a franchise for purposes of franchise registration law is that the franchisor must prescribe or suggest a marketing plan to the franchisee. On the other hand, under many of the franchise relationship laws, which govern franchisor's obligations upon termination of franchisee rights under the franchise relationship (among other issues), a critical definitional element of the term “franchise” often is that there must be a “community of interest” between the franchisor and franchisee. This is true under many of the general franchise relationship laws, and is also an element of a franchise under relationship laws governing specific industries.
To add to the challenge, unfortunately, often these definitional elements are vague and undefined, making it most difficult to determine whether a particular relationship will be deemed a franchise.
Major Differences In UK, U.S. Copyright Laws
This article highlights how copyright law in the United Kingdom differs from U.S. copyright law, and points out differences that may be crucial to entertainment and media businesses familiar with U.S law that are interested in operating in the United Kingdom or under UK law. The article also briefly addresses contrasts in UK and U.S. trademark law.
The Article 8 Opt In
The Article 8 opt-in election adds an additional layer of complexity to the already labyrinthine rules governing perfection of security interests under the UCC. A lender that is unaware of the nuances created by the opt in (may find its security interest vulnerable to being primed by another party that has taken steps to perfect in a superior manner under the circumstances.
Strategy vs. Tactics: Two Sides of a Difficult Coin
With each successive large-scale cyber attack, it is slowly becoming clear that ransomware attacks are targeting the critical infrastructure of the most powerful country on the planet. Understanding the strategy, and tactics of our opponents, as well as the strategy and the tactics we implement as a response are vital to victory.
Legal Possession: What Does It Mean?
Possession of real property is a matter of physical fact. Having the right or legal entitlement to possession is not "possession," possession is "the fact of having or holding property in one's power." That power means having physical dominion and control over the property.
The Stranger to the Deed Rule
In 1987, a unanimous Court of Appeals reaffirmed the vitality of the "stranger to the deed" rule, which holds that if a grantor executes a deed to a grantee purporting to create an easement in a third party, the easement is invalid. Daniello v. Wagner, decided by the Second Department on November 29th, makes it clear that not all grantors (or their lawyers) have received the Court of Appeals' message, suggesting that the rule needs re-examination.