California · Business and Professions Code - BPC

BPC §21140.3: The franchisor’s executive officer, representative, or agent of the franchisor who negotiates any contract in violation of this chapter or who otherwise coerces a franchisee in violation of this chapt

Civil

What this law says, in plain English

A franchisor's officer or agent who violates franchise law through improper contract negotiation or coercion of a franchisee may face civil penalties up to $100,000 per offense, enforced through civil lawsuit by government attorneys.

Read the full statutory text
The franchisor’s executive officer, representative, or agent of the franchisor who negotiates any contract in violation of this chapter or who otherwise coerces a franchisee in violation of this chapter shall be subject to a civil penalty of up to one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) for each offense. That penalty, reasonable attorney fees and costs of the suit shall be assessed and recovered in a civil action brought by the Attorney General or by any district attorney, county counsel, or city attorney in any court of competent jurisdiction. If brought by a district attorney or county counsel, the entire amount of the penalty shall be paid to the treasurer of the county in which the judgment was entered. If brought by the Attorney General, one-half of the penalty, attorney fees, and costs of the suit shall be paid to the treasurer of the county where the action was brought and one-half shall be paid to the State Treasurer. If brought by a city attorney, one-half of the penalty, attorney fees, and costs of the suit shall be paid to the treasurer of the county and one-half to the city.

Verify at the official source: California legislative text

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.