Why Franchise in Canada
Now is a good time to consider exploring and penetrating the Canadian business market. Canada is now considered a franchise industry leader, with nearly half of all its new retail businesses being franchised businesses.There is a lot to learn about successful franchising in Canada, whether you are a franchisor expanding into Canada for the first time, or are a seasoned international franchisor. There are a lot of business and legal issues to consider, including cultural challenges, disclosure compliance, anti-trust laws, and intellectual property protection. Franchisors operating in Canada are subject to both federal and provincial law, so it would be prudent to consult with a Franchise Attorney before setting up your franchise.
The areas of law related to franchising in Canada include licensing; franchise and distribution; intellectual property; multi-level marketing; transporting franchise systems into and from Canada; and general corporate commercial law. Most franchise attorneys offer a comprehensive list of services related to franchising, including preparation of documents, analysis, and advice.
A good franchise attorney is a specialist in his field who is able to meet the needs of various clients. For instance, a startup franchise system may need help with drawing up documentation to sell franchises; a mature international franchise system may want to penetrate the Canadian market; a prospective franchisee would possibly need assistance reviewing documents provided by the franchisor. A franchise lawyer with business experience in franchising is a big plus, since he will be able to give his clients first-hand advice based on his own business experience.
Trademarking and protecting intellectual property are important considerations when one puts up any kind of business. A franchise attorney who is also a registered Canadian trademark agent will be able to properly register the business trademarks, and protect his client’s business from infringement anywhere in the world. The attorney can also provide advice on copyrights, industrial design, and patent issues.
