Thus, the question of whether a distributorship contract is governed by the UCC will depend on the exact nuances of the contract. To determine whether the UCC applies, “courts generally examine the transaction to determine whether the sale of goods predominates.” Princess Cruises v. GE, 143 F. 3d 828, 833 (4th Cir.
The CISG only applies to sales of goods between merchants, not sales to consumers, and does not generally apply to services arrangements.
As discussed in the Fact Sheets on Dealings in the Supply Chain, exclusive contracts between manufacturers and suppliers, or between manufacturers and dealers, are generally lawful because they improve competition among the brands of different manufacturers (interbrand competition).
The CISG does not apply to distributorship agreements: Helen Kaminski Pty. Ltd. v. Marketing Australian Products, Inc.
The CISG is intended to apply to commercial goods and products only. With some limited exceptions, it does not apply to personal, family, or household goods, nor does it apply to auctions, ships, aircraft, or intangibles and services.
An international distribution agreement is a legal contract between two parties that authorizes one party to sell or distribute the other's products. This type of arrangement usually benefits both businesses because it makes the process more efficient and can help each company increase its customer base.
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.
Here are the steps to find and negotiate a distribution agreement: Step 1: Meet with the distributor. Step 2: Discuss the terms of distribution. Step 3: Review the details, such as marketing materials, catalogs, or product literature. Step 4: Hire a lawyer or an expert to draft the agreement.
The term for Distribution Agreements varies, with terms being anywhere from 5 to 15 years. I try to limit the term as much as possible—especially when there is no advance, or a meager one.