European Distribution Law

This handbook covers the European law of distribution, as constituted by the European primary and secondary legislation, judgments of the European courts and the supreme courts of the European Member States, and common principles of European or international distribution law.

This handbook covers the entire European distribution law, i.e. the EU primary and secondary law as interpreted by the Court of Justice of the European Union and the highest national courts.

The national laws of distribution are covered in so far as they illustrate the implementation of European law, or when they are of outstanding importance for the distribution practice within the European Union. The focus is on supranational EU law relevant for distribution and services, constituting the acquis communitaire in the Member States.

The book is divided into 2 parts. The first part covers sales agency agreements, general good faith principles, competition law, unfair competition, consumer protection law, distribution law and labour law, electronic distribution, conflicts of law, alternative dispute resolution and aspects of taxation concerning distribution. The second part looks at distribution agreements in detail, including commercial distribution agreements, distribution agreements, franchise agreements, financial services and licence and merchandising agreements.