A distribution agreement, also known as a distributor agreement, is a contract between a supplying company with products to sell and another company that markets and sells the products. The distributor agrees to buy products from the supplier company and sell them to clients within certain geographical areas.
Differences between agency and distribution An agent is appointed to negotiate or conclude contracts on the supplier's behalf. A distributor effectively becomes the supplier and contracts are made directly between the distributor and the customer.
Negotiating a Distributorship Agreement: Five Critical Steps to Success Execute a master agreement. Define the relevant goods subject to the agreement. Address all relevant intellectual property issues. Make sure renewal options and termination clauses allow the parties to adjust to changing market conditions.
Distribution agreements often include terms about termination conditions, allowing either party to exit the contract under specified circumstances. These contracts can also address intellectual property rights, ensuring that distributors understand how to handle branding and proprietary information.
Examples of companies that use exclusive distribution include Apple for its high-priced and luxury products, as well as companies like Lamborghini, BMW, Rolex, and Mercedes. These companies appoint only a few distributors to cover a specific region, maintaining exclusivity in their distribution agreements.
The Company represents and warrants that no other person or entity has any rights to sell and promote the Company's products or services, including those products or services listed in Attachment A (the “Products”) hereto, within the Exclusive Territory in derogation of the rights granted to the Exclusive Distributor ...