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Anti-Waiver Arguments and Enforcement of Forum-Selection Clauses
Anti-waiver provisions in state franchise acts have traditionally been used to trump the venue designated in the franchise agreement and to successfully transfer venue to the franchisee's home state. However, a recent decision from the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan has added weight to a small but growing body of cases enforcing forum-selection clauses against franchisees that operate in states with franchise acts containing anti-waiver provisions.
In Allegra Holdings, LLC v. Davis, 2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 57086 (E.D. Mich. Apr. 24, 2014), the court held that the anti-waiver provision of the Minnesota Franchise Act simply operates to prohibit franchisors from abrogating the rights afforded by the Act to franchisees. The court concluded that, despite the Act's anti-waiver provision, the clause in the franchise agreement designating venue in Michigan was valid since it did not operate as a waiver of the franchisee's rights under the Act; the franchisee could still sue in Minnesota if it wanted. This ruling may signal a turning of the tide in favor of enforcing the parties' chosen venue.
The Intersection of Forum-Selection Clauses and Anti-Waiver Provisions
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.
Removing Restrictive Covenants In New York
In Rockwell v. Despart, the New York Supreme Court, Third Department, recently revisited a recurring question: When may a landowner seek judicial removal of a covenant restricting use of her land?