Federal Antitrust Laws: Including Sherman Antitrust Act, Clayton Act, Robinson-Patman Act, and Federal Trade Commission Act. These regulate anti-competitive practices and exclusive dealing arrangements in distribution agreements.
State-Specific Distribution Laws: Encompasses state franchise laws, dealer protection laws, and state fair trade practices acts that vary by jurisdiction and may affect distribution relationships.
Uniform Commercial Code (UCC): Particularly Article 2 (Sale of Goods) and Article 9 (Secured Transactions), which govern commercial transactions and security interests in the United States.
Intellectual Property Laws: Including Trademark Act (Lanham Act), Copyright Act, patent laws, and trade secret protection laws that govern the use and protection of intellectual property in distribution relationships.
Contract Law: State-specific contract laws, Statute of Frauds requirements, and common law principles that govern the formation and enforcement of contracts.
Import/Export Regulations: Export Administration Regulations (EAR), International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), and customs regulations that govern international trade aspects of distribution.
Consumer Protection Laws: Federal and state consumer protection statutes, product liability laws, and safety regulations that ensure consumer rights and product safety.
Territory and Competition Considerations: State-specific non-compete laws and geographic restriction regulations that govern territorial limitations and competitive practices in distribution agreements.
