Section 23-2-2.7-2 - Franchise agreement; unlawful acts and practicesIt is unlawful for any franchisor who has entered into any franchise agreement with a franchisee who is either a resident of Indiana or a nonresident operating a franchise in Indiana to engage in any of the following acts and practices in relation to the agreement:
(1) Coercing the franchisee to: (i) order or accept delivery of any goods, supplies, inventories, or services which are neither necessary to the operation of the franchise, required by the franchise agreement, required by law, nor voluntarily ordered by the franchisee;(ii) order or accept delivery of any goods offered for sale by the franchisee which includes modifications or accessories which are not included in the base price of those goods as publicly advertised by the franchisor;(iii) participate in an advertising campaign or contest, any promotional campaign, promotional materials, display decorations, or materials at an expense to the franchisee over and above the maximum percentage of gross monthly sales or the maximum absolute sum required to be spent by the franchisee provided for in the franchise agreement; in the absence of such provision for required advertising expenditures in the franchise agreement, no such participation may be required; or(iv) enter into any agreement with the franchisor or any designee of the franchisor, or do any other act prejudicial to the franchisee, by threatening to cancel or fail to renew any agreement between the franchisee and the franchisor. Notice in good faith to any franchisee of the franchisee's violation of the terms or provisions of a franchise or agreement does not constitute a violation of this subdivision.(2) Refusing or failing to deliver in reasonable quantities and within a reasonable time after receipt of an order from a franchisee for any goods, supplies, inventories, or services which the franchisor has agreed to supply to the franchisee, unless the failure is caused by acts or causes beyond the control of the franchisor.(3) Denying the surviving spouse, heirs, or estate of a deceased franchisee the opportunity to participate in the ownership of the franchise under a valid franchise agreement for a reasonable time after the death of the franchisee, provided that the surviving spouse, heirs, or estate maintains all standards and obligations of the franchise.(4) Establishing a franchisor-owned outlet engaged in a substantially identical business to that of the franchisee within the exclusive territory granted the franchisee by the franchise agreement or, if no exclusive territory is designated, competing unfairly with the franchisee within a reasonable area. However, a franchisor shall not be considered to be competing when operating a business either temporarily for a reasonable period of time, or in a bona fide retail operation which is for sale to any qualified independent person at a fair and reasonable price, or in a bona fide relationship in which an independent person has made a significant investment subject to loss in the business operation and can reasonably expect to acquire full ownership of such business on reasonable terms and conditions.(5) Discriminating unfairly among its franchisees or unreasonably failing or refusing to comply with any terms of a franchise agreement.(6) Obtaining money, goods, services, or any other benefit from any other person with whom the franchisee does business, on account of, or in relation to, the transaction between the franchisee and the other person, other than compensation for services rendered by the franchisor, unless the benefit is promptly accounted for, and transmitted to the franchisee.(7) Increasing prices of goods provided by the franchisor which the franchisee had ordered for retail consumers prior to the franchisee's receipt of a written official price increase notification. Price increases caused by conformity to a state or federal law, the revaluation of the United States dollar in the case of foreign-made goods or pursuant to the franchise agreement are not subject to this subdivision.(8) Using deceptive advertising or engaging in deceptive acts in connection with the franchise or the franchisor's business.As added by Acts1976 , P.L. 116, SEC.1. Amended by P.L. 233-1985, SEC.6.