For the purposes of sections 42-133j to 42-133n, inclusive:

(1) “Franchise” means any contract (A) between a refiner and a distributor; (B) between a refiner and a retailer; (C) between a distributor and another distributor; or (D) between a distributor and a retailer, under which a refiner or distributor, as the case may be, authorizes or permits a retailer or distributor to use, in connection with the sale, consignment, or distribution of motor fuel, a trademark which is owned or controlled by such refiner or by a refiner which supplies motor fuel to the distributor which authorizes or permits such use.

(2) “Franchise” includes (A) any contract under which a retailer or distributor, as the case may be, is authorized or permitted to occupy leased marketing premises, which premises are to be employed in connection with the sale, consignment, or distribution of motor fuel under a trademark which is owned or controlled by such refiner or by a refiner which supplies motor fuel to the distributor which authorizes or permits such occupancy; (B) any contract pertaining to the supply of motor fuel which is to be sold, consigned or distributed (i) under a trademark owned or controlled by a refiner; or (ii) under a contract which has existed continuously since May 15, 1973, and pursuant to which, on May 15, 1973, motor fuel was sold, consigned or distributed under a trademark owned or controlled on such date by a refiner; and (iii) the unexpired portion of any franchise, as defined by the preceding provisions of this paragraph, which is transferred or assigned as authorized by the provisions of such franchise or by any applicable provision of state law which permits such transfer or assignment without regard to any provision of the franchise.

(3) “Franchise relationship” means the respective motor fuel marketing or distribution obligations and responsibilities of a franchisor and a franchisee which result from the marketing of motor fuel under a franchise.

(4) “Franchisor” means a refiner or distributor, as the case may be, who authorizes or permits, under a franchise, a retailer or distributor to use a trademark in connection with the sale, consignment, or distribution of motor fuel.

(5) “Franchisee” means a retailer or distributor, as the case may be, who is authorized or permitted, under a franchise, to use a trademark in connection with the sale, consignment, or distribution of motor fuel.

(P.A. 77-493, S. 2; P.A. 91-195.)

History: P.A. 91-195 replaced the previous definitions with the definitions in the Federal Petroleum Marketing Practices Act, 15 U.S.C. 2801.