Two of the three Decrees adopted on September 29, 2017 in furtherance of the Law for a digital Republic came into force on January 1, 2018. This provides the opportunity to recall the new transparency and fairness requirements imposed on operators of digital platforms. Since January 1, 2018 new requirements apply to some websites, as […]
The action for damages for breach of an established business relationship brought in the context of an intra-EU dispute is not an action in tort if a tacit contractual relationship existed between the parties. This is the principle laid down by the Cour de Cassation (French Supreme Court) in a decision dated September 20, 2017. […]
In an opinion dated September 21, 2017 and released in early November, the Commission d’examen des pratiques commerciales (Commercial Practices Review Committee, hereinafter the “CEPC”)[1] ruled on the lawfulness of the payment of year-end rebates provided for in an annual agreement between a supplier and a distributor whereas the requirements applicable for such payment were […]
The validity of clauses imposed by suppliers on their authorized distributors prohibiting the online sale of their products has given rise to numerous disputes in recent years. French and EC courts generally hold that such clauses are invalid because they restrict competition. Yet, in a decision dated September 13, 2017, the Cour de Cassation (French […]
In a decision dated June 21, 2017[1], the Cour de Cassation (French Supreme Court) ruled that the termination of a distribution agreement during the contractual trial period could not be considered as abusive. It follows from this decision that the parties are free to include in a distribution agreement a trial period during which each […]
Appeals lodged in disputes based on Article L. 442-6 of the French Commercial Code (the “FCC”) on restrictive trade practices – including, but not limited to, significant imbalance in the rights and obligations of contractual parties and sudden breach of established business relationships – fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Paris Court of Appeals. […]