Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 92 Part 1.djvu/385

 PUBLIC LAW 95-297—JUNE 19, 1978

92 STAT. 331

ENFORCEMENT

SEC. 105. (a) If a franchisor fails to comply with the requirements of section 102 or 103, the franchisee may maintain a civil action against such franchisor. Such action may be brought, without regard to the amount in controversy, in the district court of the United States in any judicial district in which the principal place of business of such franchisor is located or in which such franchisee is doing business, except that no such action may be maintained unless commenced within 1 year after the later of— (1) the date of termination of the franchise or nonrenewal of the franchise relationship; or (2) the date the franchisor fails to comply with the requirements of section 102 or 103. (b)(1) In any action under subsection (a), the court shall grant such equitable relief as the court determines is necessary to remedy the effects of any failure to comply with the requirements of section 102 or 103, including declaratory judgment, mandatory or prohibitive injunctive relief, and interim equitable relief. (2) Except as provided in paragraph (3), in any action under subsection (a), the court shall grant a preliminary injunction if— (A) the franchisee shows— (i) the franchise of which he is a party has been terminated or the franchise relationship of which he is a party has not been renewed, and (ii) there exist sufficiently serious questions going to the merits to make such questions a fair ground for litigation; and (B) the court determines that, on balance, the hardships imposed upon the franchisor by the issuance of such preliminary injunctive relief will be less than the hardship which would be imposed upon such franchisee if such preliminary injunctive relief were not granted. (3) Nothing in this subsection prevents any court from requiring the franchisee in any action under subsection (a) to post a bond, in an amount established by the court, prior to the issuance or continuation of any equitable relief. (4) In any action under subsection (a), the court need not exercise its equity powers to compel continuation or renewal of the franchise relationship if such action was commenced— (A) more than 90 days after the date on which notification pursuant to section 104(a) was posted or personally delivered to the franchisee; (B) more than 180 days after the date on which notification pursuant to section 104(b)(2) was posted or personally delivered to the franchisee; or (C) more than 30 days after the date on which the termination of such franchise or the nonrenewal of such franchise relationship takes effect if less than 90 days notification was provided pursuant to section 104(b)(1). (c) In any action under subsection (a), the franchisee shall have the burden of proving the termination of the franchise or the nonrenewal of the franchise relationship. The franchisor shall bear the burden of going forward with evidence to establish as an affirmative defense that such termination or nonrenewal was permitted under section 102(b) or 103, and, if applicable, that such franchisor complied with the requirements of section 102(d).

39-194 O-80-pt. 1

25: QL3

15 USC 2805. Jurisdiction,

Preliminary injunction.

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