{"data":{"id":"us-mt/30-14-227","jurisdiction":"us-mt","citation":"30-14-227","heading":"Transfer or sale of a franchise -- continuance of contracts.","body":"(1) Unless otherwise prohibited under a franchise agreement and in the event of a transfer between a franchisee and a third party, the franchisor may not unilaterally alter existing contracts between the franchisor and the franchisee and the transferee. A violation of this section constitutes an unfair trade practice subject to a $10,000 fine for each violation.\n(2) This section does not apply to:\n(a) motorsports dealer contracts under Title 30, chapter 14, part 25;\n(b) new motor vehicle franchise agreements under Title 61, chapter 4; or\n(c) farm implement dealership agreements under Title 30, chapter 11.\n(3) For the purposes of this section, \"franchise agreement\" means a contract or agreement by which:\n(a) a franchisee is granted the right to engage in business under a marketing plan prescribed in substantial part by the franchisor;\n(b) the operation of the franchisee's business is substantially associated with the franchisor's trademark, trade name, logotype, or other commercial symbol or advertising designating the franchisor; and\n(c) the franchisee is required to pay, directly or indirectly, a fee for the right to operate under the agreement.","path":["TITLE 30. TRADE AND COMMERCE","CHAPTER 14. UNFAIR TRADE PRACTICES AND CONSUMER PROTECTION","Part 2. Unfair Trade Practices Generally"],"source_url":"https://mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0300/chapter_0140/part_0020/section_0270/0300-0140-0020-0270.html","current_through":"Montana Code Annotated 2025","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T04:51:36Z","sha256":"3c581191b6386dcf32f4de3d3f909ec6ef2ea99c9c994fcee1677f6ad20128a8","source_id":"us-mt","stale":false,"prev":"us-mt/30-14-226","next":"us-mt/30-14-228"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}