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La Côte d’Ivoire a adopté la loi n°2013-450 du 19 juin 2013 sur la protection des données personnelles afin de répondre aux exigences de la transformation numérique.

L’article 1er de cette loi définit les données à caractère personnel comme étant « toute information de quelque nature qu’elle soit et indépendamment de son support, y compris le son et l’image relative à une personne physique identifiée ou identifiable directement ou indirectement, par référence à un numéro d’identification ou à un ou plusieurs éléments spécifiques, propres à son identité physique, physiologique, génétique, psychique, culturelle, sociale ou économique. »

Ainsi, en vertu de l’article 3, sont notamment soumis à la loi :

  • toute collecte, tout traitement, toute transmission, tout stockage et tout utilisation des données à caractère personnel par une personne physique, l’Etat, les collectivité locales, les personnes morales de droit public ou de droit privé ; 

  • tout traitement automatisé ou non de données contenues ou appelées à figurer dans un fichier ;

  • tout traitement de données mis en œuvre sur le territoire national.

L’article 46 de loi créé l’Autorité de protection des données à caractère personnel[1], autorité administrative indépendante chargée de la régulation des télécommunications et des technologies de l’information et de la communication.

Dès lors, tous ces traitements de données sont soumis à une déclaration préalable auprès de l’Autorité de protection des données à caractère personnel. Cette déclaration doit comporter l’engagement que le traitement est conforme à la loi sur la protection des données. L’Autorité de protection des données à caractère personnel délivre, par la suite, un récépissé permettant au demandeur de mettre en œuvre le traitement des données.

 

GERMANY

I. Economic data

A. Macro-economic data

-General data[1]

Population 2021: 83,196,078 inhabitants

Area: 357,022 km2

Density: 233 inhabitants/km2

GDP (nominal) 2022: $4,082.4 billion[2]

GDP/capita 2021: $42,919[3]

GDP (PPP) 2022: $5,323 billion[4]

GDP (PPP)/capita 2022: $63,521[5]

Growth rate 2021: 2.6%

Growth rate 2023 (IMF forecast): -0.5%

Growth rate 2024 (IMF forecast): 0.9%

GNI/capita (PPP) 2021: $59,630M

HDI 2021: 0.942[6]

Literacy rate: 99%

Life expectancy 2022: 81 years old

-Policy

 

Germany, a founding member of the European Union and of major global and regional economic and political bodies (Council of Europe, NATO, UN, OECD, G7, G20), is a federal republic made up of sixteen federated regions (called Länder), whose territory stretches from the North Sea and the Baltic Sea to the north of the Alps, and is crossed by some of Europe's greatest rivers, such as the Rhine, the Danube and the Elbe.

Germany is a parliamentary democracy. At the time of writing, the head of State is Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who merely represents the German State. Most executive power is exercised by the head of government, Federal Chancellor Olaf Sholz, who has held this position since December 8, 2021.

 

-Economic development

 

In 2023, for the first time since 2020, the German economy recorded a recession. The German Federal Statistics Office (Destatis) announced that in 2023, the first quarter showed slight growth (0.1%), followed by two quarters of stagnation and a final quarter of GDP decline (-0.3%). By 2022, German growth had reached 1.9%[7].

 

Nevertheless, Germany remains Europe's leading economy, and the world's fourth largest in terms of nominal GDP, behind the USA, China and Japan.

 

Germany is a very open market, both in terms of imports (1,495 billion euros, which was 39% of its GDP in 2022) and exports (1,577 billion euros in 2022, which was 41% of its GDP in 2022). This places it second worldwide in terms of exports of goods and services, just behind the United States.

 

Given this openness and its geographical proximity (Paris-Berlin: 1,100 km), Germany is France's leading trading partner. In 2022, Germany accounted for 13.8% of French exports (ahead of Italy, at 9.3%) and 12% of French imports (ahead of China, at 10.1%[8]). Moreover, France is Germany's fourth-largest trading partner.

 

In 2021, Germany had an inflation rate of 3.1% and an unemployment rate of 3.5%.[9]

-Resources

The German economy is largely driven by services (at around 69.8% of GDP), followed by industry (23.5%, with the production of iron, steel, chemicals and motor vehicles) and, to a lesser extent, agriculture (0.9%)[10].

 

-Population

It is the most populous country in the European Union and the second most populous on the European continent, after Russia. Its population is predominantly urban (with an urbanization rate of 78%[11] ).

 

14% of the population is under 15 years old, 64% between 15 and 65 and 22% over 65.[12]

 

Germany has three city-states: the federal capital Berlin, at the crossroads of Paris-Moscow and Copenhagen-Vienna (approx. 3.8 million inhabitants), Bremen (563,229 inhabitants in 2021) and Hamburg (1.89 million inhabitants in 2022).

 

The ten most populous cities in Germany are Berlin (3,755,251), Hamburg  (1,892,122), Munich (1,512,491), Cologne (1,084,831), Frankfurt am Main (773,068), Stuttgart (632,865), Dusseldorf (629,047), Leipzig (616,093), Dortmund (593,317) and Essen (584,580).[13]

Germany's other main cities are Potsdam (Brandenburg), Schwerin and Rostock (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern), Mainz and Koblenz (Rhineland-Palatinate), Saarbrücken (Saarland), Magdeburg (Saxony-Anhalt), Hanover (Lower Saxony), Kiel and Lubeck (Schleswig-Holstein), and finally Erfurt (Thuringia).

 

-Foreign investment

 

Germany encourages foreign investment. It is one of the most open to foreign investment among OECD countries. Germany ranks fourth among the most attractive economies for foreign investment, according to the AT Kearney 2023 Foreign Direct Investment Confidence Index[14].

 

Foreign direct investment inflows in 2019 amounted to $57.8 billion. The European Union is the leading foreign investor, with $42.8 billion invested in 2019[15].

 

B. Economic data specific to franchising

 

- Historical background

 

While many countries only developed franchising in the mid-20th century, German companies have been using it since the 19th century, when the first franchises were granted to tavern owners.

 

- Institution

 

The German Franchise Association (Deutscher Franchise Verband EV)[16] was founded in 1978. A member of the European Franchise Federation, it has adopted the European Franchise Code of Ethics.

 

- Trade shows

 

The German Franchise Association organizes a Franchise Forum in Berlin, the next edition of which will be held on May 14 and 15, 2024[17].

 

Franchise Expo Germany will be held in Frankfurt am Main from November 7 to 9, 2024[18].

 

- Statistics[19]

 

According to the Germany Trade and Invest Agency, the German franchise sector has been growing faster than the overall economy for many years, with the sector recording gains of around 5% in 2022. According to the figures released, 930 franchise brands were present in the German market in 2022, representing 140,000 independent franchisees employing over 800,000 people (an increase of over 148% since 2009).

 

The breakdown of the franchising sector reveals a significant predominance in the service sector (52%), followed by retail (22%). This is followed by a fast-growing sector: hotels and catering (20%), crafts (7.3%), and specialized trades in construction and maintenance (6%).

 

- Contract content

 

Franchise agreements are usually concluded for ten years.

 

With regard to the franchisee's financial obligations at the start of business, it is noted that the average entry fee for franchisees amounted to 13,328 euros in 2017[20].

 

- Special features

 

The German franchising market is characterized by the wide variety of companies that have entered the sector.

 

- Economic impact[21]

 

According to the German Franchise Association, franchising generated a market worth 142 billion euros in 2022, representing growth of 4.7% compared to 2021. Franchise sales increased by 6.33 billion euros.

 

Again, according to the German Franchise Association, the sector employed 800,000 people in 2022, which also represents a slight increase on the year 2021 (when there were 749,240 people employed in the sector[22] ).

 

- International

 

The vast majority of franchise networks in Germany are of German origin (around 79%)[23].

 

On the export front, the Deutscher Franchiseverband has set up The Franchise Pool International to promote German brands abroad, as well as facilitating the introduction of foreign networks by generating contacts with local master-franchisees.

 

Brands setting up in Germany generally have two points of entry: either the development of an entirely new franchise system, supported by local franchisees, or the use of master-franchising, tailoring an established concept to the German market.

 

II. Legal information

 

A. Legal information directly related to franchising

 

- Applicable legislation

 

German franchise law is not governed by laws or regulations as such, and the rules applicable to franchising are mainly derived from case law, which is gradually refining its boundaries, and from other areas of law (commercial law, contract law, competition law, etc.).

 

In particular, the law on the regulation of general terms and conditions of contracts (AGBG), incorporated into the German Civil Code (Sections 305 et seq.), protects the franchisee's co-contractor against clauses in general terms and conditions or standard contracts (such as the franchise agreement) that create disadvantages for the franchisee that are considered unreasonable. Such clauses would then be considered null and void.

 

Soft law has also been introduced by the German Franchise Association, with its Code of Ethics, which lays down obligations for its members. Particular attention should be paid to its Code of Ethics which, while not binding on franchisors who are not members of this association, nevertheless constitutes a useful guide to good practice, helping to limit risks.

 

At the European level, the European Franchise Federation has drawn up the European Franchise Code of Ethics. Section 1 of the European Franchise Code defines franchising as a system of marketing products and/or services and/or technologies, based on close and continuous collaboration between legally and financially distinct and independent companies, the franchisor and its franchisees, in which the franchisor grants its franchisees the right, and imposes the obligation, to operate a business in accordance with the franchisor's concept. The right thus granted authorizes and binds the franchisee, in exchange for a direct or indirect financial contribution, to use the brand and/or trademark for products and/or services, know-how and other intellectual property rights, supported by the ongoing provision of commercial and/or technical assistance, within the framework and for the duration of a written franchise agreement concluded between the parties for this purpose.

 

- Pre-contractual information

 

Pre-contractual information for franchises is not subject to any specific regulations.

 

Nevertheless, under ordinary contract law, the franchisor is obliged to provide the franchisee with all necessary information. If the franchisor fails to do so, the franchisee may claim compensation for damages, or even annul the contract. This has been confirmed by a ruling of the Munich Higher Regional Court[24], which specifies that the franchisor must provide any information, within a reasonable time prior to signing the contract, which may affect the franchisee's consent.

 

The extent of the information to be provided by the franchisor is assessed on a case-by-case basis, according to the franchisee's needs.

 

In addition, the Code of Ethics drawn up by the German Franchise Association provides franchisors with minimum requirements for pre-contractual information to be provided to prospective franchisees.

 

There are no formal requirements as to how pre-contractual information must be provided. In practice, franchisors provide information in writing for  evidential reasons.[25]

 

- Contract performance

 

The parties to a franchise contract are obliged to perform the contract in good faith (Sections 242 and 311 of the

German Civil Code), and following trade practice.

 

The franchisor is under no legal duty to renew the contract.

 

The franchisor may include in the contract an obligation for the franchisee to obtain the franchisor's prior consent for any transfer of the contract, or for the transfer of the franchisee's shares (particularly in the event of a change of control).

 

Similarly, at the end of the contract, German law allows the franchisor to impose a non-competition clause on the franchisee, within the limits imposed by national and European competition law.

 

At the European level, Section 2 of the European Franchise Code of Ethics specifies that franchisees must collaborate loyally for the success of the network they have joined, be responsible for the financial and human resources they commit to the franchise network, and act loyally towards all franchisees in the network.

 

The European Franchise Code of Ethics adds that the parties shall preserve the image and reputation of the network in the operation of their respective businesses, act fairly in their mutual relations and notify the other party of any breach of contract, respect the confidentiality of information relating to the franchise network, and resolve disputes in good faith and loyalty through direct communication and negotiation. If direct negotiation fails, the parties must seek to resolve the dispute in good faith through mediation and/or arbitration where appropriate (Section 2, paragraph 4).

- Jurisdiction and applicable law

 

As a member of the European Union, the Brussels I-bis Regulation[26], concerning the issue of jurisdiction, applies in Germany. This regulation contains rules for defining the competent court (Sections 1 to 6). It also provides for situations where the parties to a dispute have used a jurisdiction clause (Section 25) in their contract to set out the competent jurisdiction in advance.

 

On the question of applicable law, the Rome I regulation[27] applies when a dispute is brought before a court in a member State of the European Union. Under the Rome I regulation, the parties are free to choose the law applicable to their contract, and where no choice is set out, rules are laid down for determining the law applicable to the contract.

 

In addition, the parties may decide to have recourse to international arbitration in the event of a dispute. In this respect, Germany has ratified the New York Convention[28] enabling the recognition and enforcement of foreign arbitral awards.

 

- Trademarks

 

The German trademark system is governed by the Gesetz über den Schutz von Marken und sonstigen Kennzeichen. It is protected by registration in the German Trademark Register, by intensive use in the course of a commercial activity, or by virtue of its well-known character. The trademark is registered with the Deutsches Patent-und Markenamt.

 

German trademarks can include words, letters, numbers, images, colors, three-dimensional objects and sounds. Once registered, a trademark is protected for 10 years. Registration can be renewed indefinitely. Failure to use the trademark for five years may result in revocation.

 

Of course, to protect its trademark in Germany, a franchisor can also choose to register an international trademark covering the German territory.

 

Germany is a member of the Madrid System. The Madrid System[29] enables companies to obtain trademark protection in up to 130 countries by filing a single international application, in a single language, with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Under Article 6 of the Madrid Agreement, a trademark registration is valid for 20 years. 

 

It is also possible to register a European trademark with the European Union Intellectual Property Office.

Germany has also joined the Nice classification.

 

B. Peripheral legal data

 

- Competition law

 

As a member of the European Union, Germany is bound by European competition law.

 

German competition law is governed by the Restriction of Competition Act (Gesetz gegen Wettbewerbsbeschränkungen)[30]. It is now modelled on European competition law.

 

It therefore prohibits anti-competitive behavior, which naturally includes price fixing.

 

Similarly, German law prohibits the granting of absolute territorial exclusivity zones, whereby the franchisor might forbid the franchisee from both active and passive sales (though the latter must be authorized in any event).

 

Germany has enacted rules distinct from those applicable to anti-competitive practices, to regulate both unfair competition and unfair behavior. In 2004, it passed the "Gesetz gegen den unlauteren Wettbewerb", which lays down a general ban on unfair practices, and provides examples of sanctionable behavior.

 

At the European level, exemption regulation no. 2022/720 of May 10, 2022, on the application of Section 101 of the TFEU to vertical agreements, may allow the exemption of vertical agreements containing vertical restraints, provided that the agreement does not contain the fixing of a selling price or the imposition of a minimum selling price (it is, however, possible to impose a maximum selling price or to recommend a selling price). Nor must the agreement contain any restrictions on the territory in which the franchisee may sell the contracted goods or services (with certain exceptions), or any non-competition clause of indefinite duration or that exceeds five years, etc.

 

Germany has a federal competition authority, the Bundeskartellamt.

 

- Personal data

 

In Germany, the protection of personal data and privacy is governed by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)[31], which is European Union legislation that applies uniformly to all member States. The GDPR was adopted in 2016 and came into force on May 25, 2018.

 

The GDPR establishes a comprehensive legal framework for the collection, processing and storage of personal data, guaranteeing respect for fundamental rights to privacy and data protection. The GDPR protects only the personal data of natural persons, but it must be complied with by any organization or person carrying out processing of personal data, whether automated or not, contained or intended to be contained in a file (Section 2 of the GDPR).

 

The GDPR applies when the controller (the person initiating the processing) and/or the processor are established in the territory of the Union, as well as when the personal data processed are those of people in the territory of the European Union (Section 3 of the GDPR).

 

The GDPR specifies that the data controller must have defined the purposes for which it wishes to process personal data. Furthermore, only the data strictly necessary to achieve these purposes must be processed, under the principle of data minimization.

 

Section 6 of the GDPR provides six legal grounds for processing data:

 

-the data subject has consented to the processing of his/her personal data for one or more specific purposes;

-processing is necessary for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is party or for the performance of pre-contractual measures taken at the data subject's request;

-processing is necessary to comply with a legal obligation to which the controller is subject;

-processing is necessary to safeguard the vital interests of the data subject or of another natural person;

-processing is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller;

-processing is necessary for the purposes of the legitimate interests pursued by the controller or by a third party, unless the interests or fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject which require the protection of personal data prevail, in particular where the data subject is a child.

 

The competent authority in Germany is the Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information.

 

- Special provisions for foreign investments

 

As a member of the European Union, Germany cannot, in principle, impose restrictions on the movement of capital from EU member States or non-EU countries, under Section 63 of the TFEU.

 

Germany has also been subject to European rules on foreign direct investment (FDI) since the Foreign Investment Screening Regulation[32] came into force. The purpose of this regulation is to establish a European framework for cooperation in the assessment of foreign investments likely to threaten security and public order in EU member States. Germany, as a member State, must notify and cooperate with the European Commission and other member States on foreign investments in critical sectors.

 

As a result, foreign investors can, in principle, invest freely in Germany.

 

However, in order to protect the German nation, Germany has introduced restrictions and notification requirements for acquisitions in industrial sectors linked to public order and security (defense, telecommunications, etc.).

 

- Special features

 

Unlike many federal States, Germany has not set up two parallel judicial systems (a federal system and a system specific to each Länd): it has a single judicial system.

Main websites :

-Deutscher Franchise Verband EV (German Franchise Association): www.franchiseverband.com ;

-Germany Trade and invest: https://www.gtai.de/en/invest;

-The Franchise Pool International: www.franchisepool.org;

-Competition law: https://www.bundeskartellamt.de/DE/Home/home_node.html;

-Intellectual property: https://www.dpma.de/;

-Personal data: https://bfdi.bund.de/DE/Home/home_node.html;

-World Bank: https://www.banquemondiale.org/fr/home.

[1] Unless otherwise stated, general data is taken from Atlas socio-économique des pays du monde, Larousse, 2024 édition.

[2] https://donnees.banquemondiale.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.CD?locations=DE

[3] https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/Pays/DE/l-economie-allemande-en-bref

[4]h ttps://donnees.banquemondiale.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.PP.CD?end=2022&most_recent_value_desc=true&start=1990&view=chart

[5] https://donnees.banquemondiale.org/indicator/NY.GDP.PCAP.PP.CD?locations=DE

[6] Human Development Report 2021/2022: Uncertain times, changed lives: shaping our future in a changing world, New York, United Nations Development Program, September 2022,

[7] Mission allemandes en France, "German GDP down 0.3% in 2023", 17.01.2024.

[8] https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/Pays/DE/les-relations-economiques-entre-la-france-et-l-allemagne#:~:text=More%20in%20d%C3%A9tail%2C%20Germany,%C3%A0%2010%2C1%20%25

[9] Atlas socio-économique des pays du monde, Larousse, 2024 édition

[10] https://fr.statista.com/statistiques/669036/pib-allemagne-par-secteur/

[11]World Bank data https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS?locations=OM-CN-TD-AL-DE&year_high_desc=true.

[12] Atlas socio-économique des pays du monde, Larousse, 2024 édition

[13] German Federal Statistical Office.

[14] https://www.kearney.com/service/global-business-policy-council/foreign-direct-investment-confidence-index

[15] OECD International Direct Investment Statistics 2020 | READ online (oecd-ilibrary.org)

[16] Deutscher Franchiseverband e.V. Luisenstraße 41, 10117 Berlin, tel: +49 30 278 902 0, e-mail: info(at)franchiseverband.com

[17] https://www.franchiseverband.com/aktuelles-erfahren/termine/detail/franchise-forum-2024

[18] https://www.franchise-expo.com/

[19] Unless otherwise stated, the data below is taken from Franchisage (gtai.de).

[20] Statista "Wer im Jahr 2017 einen Franchise-Betrieb eröffnen wollte, musste im Durchschnitt 13.328 Euro an den Franchise-Geber bezahlen.". Free translation from German to French: "Anyone wishing to open a franchise business in 2017 had to pay an average of 13,328 euros to the franchisor".

[21] Unless otherwise stated, the data below is taken from Franchisage (gtai.de).

[22] Deutscher Franchiseverband "The voice of the German franchise business".

[23] "Only 21% of all systems in Germany come from abroad", https://www.gtai.de/en/invest/industries/consumer-industries/franchising-65658.

[24] Munich Higher Regional Court, September 16, 1993, no. 6U5495/92

[25] https://www.franchise.org/sites/default/files/2022-09/2023%20Franchise%20-%20Germany.pdf

[26] Regulation n°115/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of December 12, 2012 on jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters

[27] Regulation n°593/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of June 17, 2008 on the law applicable to contractual obligations

[28] 1958 Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards

[29] Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Trademarks

[30] https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/gwb/BJNR252110998.html

[31] Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of April 27, 2016

[32] Regulation no. 2019/452

GERMANY

I. Economic data

A. Macro-economic data

-General data[1]

Population 2021: 83,196,078 inhabitants

Area: 357,022 km2

Density: 233 inhabitants/km2

GDP (nominal) 2022: $4,082.4 billion[2]

GDP/capita 2021: $42,919[3]

GDP (PPP) 2022: $5,323 billion[4]

GDP (PPP)/capita 2022: $63,521[5]

Growth rate 2021: 2.6%

Growth rate 2023 (IMF forecast): -0.5%

Growth rate 2024 (IMF forecast): 0.9%

GNI/capita (PPP) 2021: $59,630M

HDI 2021: 0.942[6]

Literacy rate: 99%

Life expectancy 2022: 81 years old

-Policy

 

Germany, a founding member of the European Union and of major global and regional economic and political bodies (Council of Europe, NATO, UN, OECD, G7, G20), is a federal republic made up of sixteen federated regions (called Länder), whose territory stretches from the North Sea and the Baltic Sea to the north of the Alps, and is crossed by some of Europe's greatest rivers, such as the Rhine, the Danube and the Elbe.

Germany is a parliamentary democracy. At the time of writing, the head of State is Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who merely represents the German State. Most executive power is exercised by the head of government, Federal Chancellor Olaf Sholz, who has held this position since December 8, 2021.

 

-Economic development

 

In 2023, for the first time since 2020, the German economy recorded a recession. The German Federal Statistics Office (Destatis) announced that in 2023, the first quarter showed slight growth (0.1%), followed by two quarters of stagnation and a final quarter of GDP decline (-0.3%). By 2022, German growth had reached 1.9%[7].

 

Nevertheless, Germany remains Europe's leading economy, and the world's fourth largest in terms of nominal GDP, behind the USA, China and Japan.

 

Germany is a very open market, both in terms of imports (1,495 billion euros, which was 39% of its GDP in 2022) and exports (1,577 billion euros in 2022, which was 41% of its GDP in 2022). This places it second worldwide in terms of exports of goods and services, just behind the United States.

 

Given this openness and its geographical proximity (Paris-Berlin: 1,100 km), Germany is France's leading trading partner. In 2022, Germany accounted for 13.8% of French exports (ahead of Italy, at 9.3%) and 12% of French imports (ahead of China, at 10.1%[8]). Moreover, France is Germany's fourth-largest trading partner.

 

In 2021, Germany had an inflation rate of 3.1% and an unemployment rate of 3.5%.[9]

-Resources

The German economy is largely driven by services (at around 69.8% of GDP), followed by industry (23.5%, with the production of iron, steel, chemicals and motor vehicles) and, to a lesser extent, agriculture (0.9%)[10].

 

-Population

It is the most populous country in the European Union and the second most populous on the European continent, after Russia. Its population is predominantly urban (with an urbanization rate of 78%[11] ).

 

14% of the population is under 15 years old, 64% between 15 and 65 and 22% over 65.[12]

 

Germany has three city-states: the federal capital Berlin, at the crossroads of Paris-Moscow and Copenhagen-Vienna (approx. 3.8 million inhabitants), Bremen (563,229 inhabitants in 2021) and Hamburg (1.89 million inhabitants in 2022).

 

The ten most populous cities in Germany are Berlin (3,755,251), Hamburg  (1,892,122), Munich (1,512,491), Cologne (1,084,831), Frankfurt am Main (773,068), Stuttgart (632,865), Dusseldorf (629,047), Leipzig (616,093), Dortmund (593,317) and Essen (584,580).[13]

Germany's other main cities are Potsdam (Brandenburg), Schwerin and Rostock (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern), Mainz and Koblenz (Rhineland-Palatinate), Saarbrücken (Saarland), Magdeburg (Saxony-Anhalt), Hanover (Lower Saxony), Kiel and Lubeck (Schleswig-Holstein), and finally Erfurt (Thuringia).

 

-Foreign investment

 

Germany encourages foreign investment. It is one of the most open to foreign investment among OECD countries. Germany ranks fourth among the most attractive economies for foreign investment, according to the AT Kearney 2023 Foreign Direct Investment Confidence Index[14].

 

Foreign direct investment inflows in 2019 amounted to $57.8 billion. The European Union is the leading foreign investor, with $42.8 billion invested in 2019[15].

 

B. Economic data specific to franchising

 

- Historical background

 

While many countries only developed franchising in the mid-20th century, German companies have been using it since the 19th century, when the first franchises were granted to tavern owners.

 

- Institution

 

The German Franchise Association (Deutscher Franchise Verband EV)[16] was founded in 1978. A member of the European Franchise Federation, it has adopted the European Franchise Code of Ethics.

 

- Trade shows

 

The German Franchise Association organizes a Franchise Forum in Berlin, the next edition of which will be held on May 14 and 15, 2024[17].

 

Franchise Expo Germany will be held in Frankfurt am Main from November 7 to 9, 2024[18].

 

- Statistics[19]

 

According to the Germany Trade and Invest Agency, the German franchise sector has been growing faster than the overall economy for many years, with the sector recording gains of around 5% in 2022. According to the figures released, 930 franchise brands were present in the German market in 2022, representing 140,000 independent franchisees employing over 800,000 people (an increase of over 148% since 2009).

 

The breakdown of the franchising sector reveals a significant predominance in the service sector (52%), followed by retail (22%). This is followed by a fast-growing sector: hotels and catering (20%), crafts (7.3%), and specialized trades in construction and maintenance (6%).

 

- Contract content

 

Franchise agreements are usually concluded for ten years.

 

With regard to the franchisee's financial obligations at the start of business, it is noted that the average entry fee for franchisees amounted to 13,328 euros in 2017[20].

 

- Special features

 

The German franchising market is characterized by the wide variety of companies that have entered the sector.

 

- Economic impact[21]

 

According to the German Franchise Association, franchising generated a market worth 142 billion euros in 2022, representing growth of 4.7% compared to 2021. Franchise sales increased by 6.33 billion euros.

 

Again, according to the German Franchise Association, the sector employed 800,000 people in 2022, which also represents a slight increase on the year 2021 (when there were 749,240 people employed in the sector[22] ).

 

- International

 

The vast majority of franchise networks in Germany are of German origin (around 79%)[23].

 

On the export front, the Deutscher Franchiseverband has set up The Franchise Pool International to promote German brands abroad, as well as facilitating the introduction of foreign networks by generating contacts with local master-franchisees.

 

Brands setting up in Germany generally have two points of entry: either the development of an entirely new franchise system, supported by local franchisees, or the use of master-franchising, tailoring an established concept to the German market.

 

II. Legal information

 

A. Legal information directly related to franchising

 

- Applicable legislation

 

German franchise law is not governed by laws or regulations as such, and the rules applicable to franchising are mainly derived from case law, which is gradually refining its boundaries, and from other areas of law (commercial law, contract law, competition law, etc.).

 

In particular, the law on the regulation of general terms and conditions of contracts (AGBG), incorporated into the German Civil Code (Sections 305 et seq.), protects the franchisee's co-contractor against clauses in general terms and conditions or standard contracts (such as the franchise agreement) that create disadvantages for the franchisee that are considered unreasonable. Such clauses would then be considered null and void.

 

Soft law has also been introduced by the German Franchise Association, with its Code of Ethics, which lays down obligations for its members. Particular attention should be paid to its Code of Ethics which, while not binding on franchisors who are not members of this association, nevertheless constitutes a useful guide to good practice, helping to limit risks.

 

At the European level, the European Franchise Federation has drawn up the European Franchise Code of Ethics. Section 1 of the European Franchise Code defines franchising as a system of marketing products and/or services and/or technologies, based on close and continuous collaboration between legally and financially distinct and independent companies, the franchisor and its franchisees, in which the franchisor grants its franchisees the right, and imposes the obligation, to operate a business in accordance with the franchisor's concept. The right thus granted authorizes and binds the franchisee, in exchange for a direct or indirect financial contribution, to use the brand and/or trademark for products and/or services, know-how and other intellectual property rights, supported by the ongoing provision of commercial and/or technical assistance, within the framework and for the duration of a written franchise agreement concluded between the parties for this purpose.

 

- Pre-contractual information

 

Pre-contractual information for franchises is not subject to any specific regulations.

 

Nevertheless, under ordinary contract law, the franchisor is obliged to provide the franchisee with all necessary information. If the franchisor fails to do so, the franchisee may claim compensation for damages, or even annul the contract. This has been confirmed by a ruling of the Munich Higher Regional Court[24], which specifies that the franchisor must provide any information, within a reasonable time prior to signing the contract, which may affect the franchisee's consent.

 

The extent of the information to be provided by the franchisor is assessed on a case-by-case basis, according to the franchisee's needs.

 

In addition, the Code of Ethics drawn up by the German Franchise Association provides franchisors with minimum requirements for pre-contractual information to be provided to prospective franchisees.

 

There are no formal requirements as to how pre-contractual information must be provided. In practice, franchisors provide information in writing for  evidential reasons.[25]

 

- Contract performance

 

The parties to a franchise contract are obliged to perform the contract in good faith (Sections 242 and 311 of the

German Civil Code), and following trade practice.

 

The franchisor is under no legal duty to renew the contract.

 

The franchisor may include in the contract an obligation for the franchisee to obtain the franchisor's prior consent for any transfer of the contract, or for the transfer of the franchisee's shares (particularly in the event of a change of control).

 

Similarly, at the end of the contract, German law allows the franchisor to impose a non-competition clause on the franchisee, within the limits imposed by national and European competition law.

 

At the European level, Section 2 of the European Franchise Code of Ethics specifies that franchisees must collaborate loyally for the success of the network they have joined, be responsible for the financial and human resources they commit to the franchise network, and act loyally towards all franchisees in the network.

 

The European Franchise Code of Ethics adds that the parties shall preserve the image and reputation of the network in the operation of their respective businesses, act fairly in their mutual relations and notify the other party of any breach of contract, respect the confidentiality of information relating to the franchise network, and resolve disputes in good faith and loyalty through direct communication and negotiation. If direct negotiation fails, the parties must seek to resolve the dispute in good faith through mediation and/or arbitration where appropriate (Section 2, paragraph 4).

- Jurisdiction and applicable law

 

As a member of the European Union, the Brussels I-bis Regulation[26], concerning the issue of jurisdiction, applies in Germany. This regulation contains rules for defining the competent court (Sections 1 to 6). It also provides for situations where the parties to a dispute have used a jurisdiction clause (Section 25) in their contract to set out the competent jurisdiction in advance.

 

On the question of applicable law, the Rome I regulation[27] applies when a dispute is brought before a court in a member State of the European Union. Under the Rome I regulation, the parties are free to choose the law applicable to their contract, and where no choice is set out, rules are laid down for determining the law applicable to the contract.

 

In addition, the parties may decide to have recourse to international arbitration in the event of a dispute. In this respect, Germany has ratified the New York Convention[28] enabling the recognition and enforcement of foreign arbitral awards.

 

- Trademarks

 

The German trademark system is governed by the Gesetz über den Schutz von Marken und sonstigen Kennzeichen. It is protected by registration in the German Trademark Register, by intensive use in the course of a commercial activity, or by virtue of its well-known character. The trademark is registered with the Deutsches Patent-und Markenamt.

 

German trademarks can include words, letters, numbers, images, colors, three-dimensional objects and sounds. Once registered, a trademark is protected for 10 years. Registration can be renewed indefinitely. Failure to use the trademark for five years may result in revocation.

 

Of course, to protect its trademark in Germany, a franchisor can also choose to register an international trademark covering the German territory.

 

Germany is a member of the Madrid System. The Madrid System[29] enables companies to obtain trademark protection in up to 130 countries by filing a single international application, in a single language, with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Under Article 6 of the Madrid Agreement, a trademark registration is valid for 20 years. 

 

It is also possible to register a European trademark with the European Union Intellectual Property Office.

Germany has also joined the Nice classification.

 

B. Peripheral legal data

 

- Competition law

 

As a member of the European Union, Germany is bound by European competition law.

 

German competition law is governed by the Restriction of Competition Act (Gesetz gegen Wettbewerbsbeschränkungen)[30]. It is now modelled on European competition law.

 

It therefore prohibits anti-competitive behavior, which naturally includes price fixing.

 

Similarly, German law prohibits the granting of absolute territorial exclusivity zones, whereby the franchisor might forbid the franchisee from both active and passive sales (though the latter must be authorized in any event).

 

Germany has enacted rules distinct from those applicable to anti-competitive practices, to regulate both unfair competition and unfair behavior. In 2004, it passed the "Gesetz gegen den unlauteren Wettbewerb", which lays down a general ban on unfair practices, and provides examples of sanctionable behavior.

 

At the European level, exemption regulation no. 2022/720 of May 10, 2022, on the application of Section 101 of the TFEU to vertical agreements, may allow the exemption of vertical agreements containing vertical restraints, provided that the agreement does not contain the fixing of a selling price or the imposition of a minimum selling price (it is, however, possible to impose a maximum selling price or to recommend a selling price). Nor must the agreement contain any restrictions on the territory in which the franchisee may sell the contracted goods or services (with certain exceptions), or any non-competition clause of indefinite duration or that exceeds five years, etc.

 

Germany has a federal competition authority, the Bundeskartellamt.

 

- Personal data

 

In Germany, the protection of personal data and privacy is governed by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)[31], which is European Union legislation that applies uniformly to all member States. The GDPR was adopted in 2016 and came into force on May 25, 2018.

 

The GDPR establishes a comprehensive legal framework for the collection, processing and storage of personal data, guaranteeing respect for fundamental rights to privacy and data protection. The GDPR protects only the personal data of natural persons, but it must be complied with by any organization or person carrying out processing of personal data, whether automated or not, contained or intended to be contained in a file (Section 2 of the GDPR).

 

The GDPR applies when the controller (the person initiating the processing) and/or the processor are established in the territory of the Union, as well as when the personal data processed are those of people in the territory of the European Union (Section 3 of the GDPR).

 

The GDPR specifies that the data controller must have defined the purposes for which it wishes to process personal data. Furthermore, only the data strictly necessary to achieve these purposes must be processed, under the principle of data minimization.

 

Section 6 of the GDPR provides six legal grounds for processing data:

 

-the data subject has consented to the processing of his/her personal data for one or more specific purposes;

-processing is necessary for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is party or for the performance of pre-contractual measures taken at the data subject's request;

-processing is necessary to comply with a legal obligation to which the controller is subject;

-processing is necessary to safeguard the vital interests of the data subject or of another natural person;

-processing is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller;

-processing is necessary for the purposes of the legitimate interests pursued by the controller or by a third party, unless the interests or fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject which require the protection of personal data prevail, in particular where the data subject is a child.

 

The competent authority in Germany is the Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information.

 

- Special provisions for foreign investments

 

As a member of the European Union, Germany cannot, in principle, impose restrictions on the movement of capital from EU member States or non-EU countries, under Section 63 of the TFEU.

 

Germany has also been subject to European rules on foreign direct investment (FDI) since the Foreign Investment Screening Regulation[32] came into force. The purpose of this regulation is to establish a European framework for cooperation in the assessment of foreign investments likely to threaten security and public order in EU member States. Germany, as a member State, must notify and cooperate with the European Commission and other member States on foreign investments in critical sectors.

 

As a result, foreign investors can, in principle, invest freely in Germany.

 

However, in order to protect the German nation, Germany has introduced restrictions and notification requirements for acquisitions in industrial sectors linked to public order and security (defense, telecommunications, etc.).

 

- Special features

 

Unlike many federal States, Germany has not set up two parallel judicial systems (a federal system and a system specific to each Länd): it has a single judicial system.

Main websites :

-Deutscher Franchise Verband EV (German Franchise Association): www.franchiseverband.com ;

-Germany Trade and invest: https://www.gtai.de/en/invest;

-The Franchise Pool International: www.franchisepool.org;

-Competition law: https://www.bundeskartellamt.de/DE/Home/home_node.html;

-Intellectual property: https://www.dpma.de/;

-Personal data: https://bfdi.bund.de/DE/Home/home_node.html;

-World Bank: https://www.banquemondiale.org/fr/home.

[1] Unless otherwise stated, general data is taken from Atlas socio-économique des pays du monde, Larousse, 2024 édition.

[2] https://donnees.banquemondiale.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.CD?locations=DE

[3] https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/Pays/DE/l-economie-allemande-en-bref

[4]h ttps://donnees.banquemondiale.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.PP.CD?end=2022&most_recent_value_desc=true&start=1990&view=chart

[5] https://donnees.banquemondiale.org/indicator/NY.GDP.PCAP.PP.CD?locations=DE

[6] Human Development Report 2021/2022: Uncertain times, changed lives: shaping our future in a changing world, New York, United Nations Development Program, September 2022,

[7] Mission allemandes en France, "German GDP down 0.3% in 2023", 17.01.2024.

[8] https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/Pays/DE/les-relations-economiques-entre-la-france-et-l-allemagne#:~:text=More%20in%20d%C3%A9tail%2C%20Germany,%C3%A0%2010%2C1%20%25

[9] Atlas socio-économique des pays du monde, Larousse, 2024 édition

[10] https://fr.statista.com/statistiques/669036/pib-allemagne-par-secteur/

[11]World Bank data https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS?locations=OM-CN-TD-AL-DE&year_high_desc=true.

[12] Atlas socio-économique des pays du monde, Larousse, 2024 édition

[13] German Federal Statistical Office.

[14] https://www.kearney.com/service/global-business-policy-council/foreign-direct-investment-confidence-index

[15] OECD International Direct Investment Statistics 2020 | READ online (oecd-ilibrary.org)

[16] Deutscher Franchiseverband e.V. Luisenstraße 41, 10117 Berlin, tel: +49 30 278 902 0, e-mail: info(at)franchiseverband.com

[17] https://www.franchiseverband.com/aktuelles-erfahren/termine/detail/franchise-forum-2024

[18] https://www.franchise-expo.com/

[19] Unless otherwise stated, the data below is taken from Franchisage (gtai.de).

[20] Statista "Wer im Jahr 2017 einen Franchise-Betrieb eröffnen wollte, musste im Durchschnitt 13.328 Euro an den Franchise-Geber bezahlen.". Free translation from German to French: "Anyone wishing to open a franchise business in 2017 had to pay an average of 13,328 euros to the franchisor".

[21] Unless otherwise stated, the data below is taken from Franchisage (gtai.de).

[22] Deutscher Franchiseverband "The voice of the German franchise business".

[23] "Only 21% of all systems in Germany come from abroad", https://www.gtai.de/en/invest/industries/consumer-industries/franchising-65658.

[24] Munich Higher Regional Court, September 16, 1993, no. 6U5495/92

[25] https://www.franchise.org/sites/default/files/2022-09/2023%20Franchise%20-%20Germany.pdf

[26] Regulation n°115/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of December 12, 2012 on jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters

[27] Regulation n°593/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of June 17, 2008 on the law applicable to contractual obligations

[28] 1958 Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards

[29] Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Trademarks

[30] https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/gwb/BJNR252110998.html

[31] Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of April 27, 2016

[32] Regulation no. 2019/452

Updated on 02/15/2024

CHINA

I. Données économiques

A. Données macro-économiques
 
• Données générales[1]

Population 2022 : 1 411 750 000 hab.[2]
Superficie : 9 596 961 km2
Densité  : 142 hab./km2
PIB (nominal) 2022 : 17 963 Md$ (2e)[3]
PIB/hab. 2022 : 12 073,40 $[4]
PIB (PPA) 2022 : 30 337Md$ (2e)[5]
PIB (PPA)/hab. 2022 : 21 482,6 $[6]
Taux de croissance 2022 : 3 %[7]
RNB/hab. (PPA) 2021 : 19 160$
IDH 2021 : 0,768
Taux d’alphabétisation : 97,15%[8]
Espérance de vie 2022 : 78 ans

• Politique
 
La Chine est une République socialiste dirigée par le parti communiste depuis 1949. A la date de rédaction de cet article, le Président de la République est Xi Jinping, depuis 2013. En 2022, Xi Jinping avait promis d’augmenter de manière substantielle d’ici 2035 la taille de la classe moyenne. Le Parti communiste chinois a également affirmé sa volonté de réorienter le modèle économique vers une croissance plus qualitative[9].
 
Concernant la politique extérieure, la Chine est membre du Conseil de sécurité de l’Organisation des Nations Unies et est une puissance nucléaire. Les casques bleus chinois sont déployés dans huit missions des Nations Unies. La Chine est le deuxième contributeur financier aux opérations de maintien de la paix des Nations Unis.[10]
 
Entre la Chine et Taïwan, il existe encore des tensions. La Chine revendique Taïwan comme appartenant à son territoire, tandis que Taïwan ne souhaite pas faire partie de la Chine et revendique son indépendance.
 
• Evolution économique
 
Deuxième puissance mondiale après les Etats-Unis, mais première puissance mondiale en termes de PIB par parité de pouvoir d’achat (PPA), la Chine est aujourd’hui l’une des grandes puissances émergentes des « BRIC » (Brésil, Russie, Inde, Chine).
 
La Chine a rejoint l’OMC en 2001.
 
La forte croissance de la Chine des années 1990 à 2020 est notamment fondée sur une main-d’œuvre conséquente et peu cher, des investissements étrangers importants et des exportations de biens manufacturiers à travers le monde[11].
 
La classe moyenne chinoise représente plus de 400 millions de personnes[12].
 
La Banque Mondiale a classé la Chine parmi les pays à revenu intermédiaire-supérieur.
 
Après des années de croissance, l’année 2023 a laissé paraître des inquiétudes. En effet, la politique 0 Covid qu’a menée la Chine en 2021 a laissé des traces sur l’économie chinoise. La consommation des ménages a diminué, ce qui a causé une déflation, c’est-à-dire une baisse générale des prix[13].  Les taux de croissance affichés par la Chine sont de plus en plus bas. 
 
De plus, le taux de chômage chez les jeunes a atteint 21,3 %, ce qui est jusqu’ici le plus haut taux jamais enregistré[14].
 
Selon une étude du bureau des statistiques du 31 janvier 2024, l’activité des usines s’est affaiblie de 0,49% par rapport au mois précédent. Or, cette baisse s’est atténuée par rapport à décembre 2023[15].
 
• Ressources
 
Les services sont les secteurs générant la part la plus importante dans le produit intérieur brut (PIB) (53,3 %), suivie par l’industrie et les mines (39,4%). L'agriculture génère quant à elle 7,3% du PIB.
 
La Chine détient 171 minerais, dont 158 sont des réserves vérifiées. Dix de ces réserves sont des ressources énergétiques (pétrole, gaz naturel, charbon, uranium), 54 sont des ressources minières (fer, manganèse, cuivre, aluminium, plomb, zinc), 91 sont des ressources minières autres que les métaux (graphite, phosphore, soufre et sylvine) et 3 de ces ressources sont liquides ou gazeuses[16].
 
• Population
 
Depuis la politique chinoise visant à réduire le nombre de naissances, le taux de natalité a fortement diminué, passant de 18,25 % en 1978 à 6,77 % en 2022[17].
 
La population chinoise est inégalement répartie sur le territoire et se concentre principalement à l'Est du pays, où plusieurs provinces dépassent 400 habitants au kilomètre carré.
 
Encore minoritaire il y a quelques années, la population urbaine est dorénavant devenue majoritaire. En effet, le taux d'urbanisation a atteint 65 % en 2022[18], avec un total de 920 710 000 personnes habitants en ville[19].
 
Les dix villes les plus peuplées de Chine sont Shangaï (24 870 895 habitants), Canton (23 426 128), Chongqing (22 251 500), Pékin (21 893 095), Chengdu (14 677 122), Shantou (14 251 500), Tianjin (13 866 009), Xiamen-Quanzhou (13 764 758), Xi’an (12 905 600) et Shenzhen (12 356 820).[20]
 
• Investissements étrangers
 
Pour la première fois depuis 2016, les exportations chinoises ont diminué de 4,6 % en 2022[21].
 
En 2021, les exportations de biens provenant de la Chine ont généré 3 215 Md de dollars. Quant aux importations, elles étaient de l’ordre de 2 653 Md de dollars[22].
 
En 2022, les investissements étrangers ont baissé de 73 % par rapport à l’année précédente pour atteindre 42,5 Md de dollars.[23]
 
Les principaux pays investisseurs en Chine sont Singapour, les îles Vierges, la Corée du Sud, les îles Caïmans, le Japon, l’Allemagne et les Etats-Unis. Les investissements sont notamment faits dans les secteurs de l’industrie manufacturière, l’immobilier, le crédit-bail et les services informatiques[24].
 
B. Données économiques spécifiques à la franchise
 
• Historique
 
La franchise est apparue en Chine en 1987 et a rencontré au cours de ces dernières années un succès croissant, dû notamment à la hausse du niveau de vie de la population chinoise et à l'attrait croissant que les produits de marque ont sur elle.
 
• Institution[25]
 
La China Chain Store and franchise association[26] (CCFA), créée en 1997, représente officiellement le secteur de la vente au détail et de la franchise en Chine. La CCFA compte officiellement plus de 1 200 entreprises membres, issues de différents secteurs (vente au détail, restauration, services, …).
 
La CCFA participe à la formulation et la coordination des politiques.
 
• Salons professionnels

L'Association de la franchise et des réseaux de Chine organise trois salons annuels, afin de permettre aux investisseurs étrangers de rencontrer des potentiels partenaires en Chine.
 
Ainsi, la China Franchise Expo (salon créé en 1999) se tiendra du 31 mai au 2 juin 2024 au Centre national des congrès de Chine à Pékin. Une autre édition de la China Franchise expo se tiendra à Shanghai du 2 au 4 août 2024.[27]
 
Enfin, la 37ème édition du Salon international de la franchise de Shanghai aura lieu du 27 au 30 mars 2024 au Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC)[28].
 
• Statistiques
 
Il existe 6 500 franchiseurs enregistrés en Chine[29]. Les 300 premières marques franchisées disposaient, en 2022, de 570 000 points de vente[30].
 
Le secteur de la restauration rapide, des magasins de proximité et des boissons de thé ont connu une croissance rapide en Chine[31]. Le secteur de l’alimentation et de la boisson représente 34 % des franchises, le commerce de détail en représente 33 %, les services commerciaux représentent une part de 13 % des franchises et les services à domicile en représentent 9 %[32].
 
62 % des entreprises enregistrées ont moins de 10 magasins[33].
 
Durant l’année 2021, 4,37 millions de petites entreprises ont fermé, ce qui est trois fois plus élevé que le nombre de nouvelles entreprises ouvertes la même année. Le taux de radiation aux registres publics des petites et moyennes entreprises a donc dépassé le nombre d’enregistrements, ce qui n’était pas arrivé depuis deux décennies[34].
 
• Contenu du contrat
 
La durée minimale d’un contrat de franchise en Chine est de trois années, selon le règlement sur l’administration des franchises commerciales.
 
L’investissement moyen d’un point de vente pour une franchise est de 100 000 dollars[35].
 
• Incidences économiques
 
En 2015, les ventes totales des 100 franchises les plus importantes de Chine avaient atteint un record de 434,5 Md yuans (environ 62,9 Md de dollars). Ce chiffre a cependant diminué en 2017, pour atteindre 330 Md de yuans (environ 47,8 Md de dollars)[36].
 
Depuis 2017, le revenu généré par les franchises a largement augmenté, en atteignant 800 Md de dollars en 2021[37].
 
• International
 
La Chine accueille 13 % des franchises situées en dehors des Etats-Unis[38].
 
Selon la liste des 300 meilleures franchises de Chine établie en 2022 par la CCFA, le premier réseau de franchise était d’origine américain (Meijer)[39]. D’autres enseignes américaines telles que KFC, McDonald’s ou encore Wyndham ont une présence sur tout le territoire chinois[40].
 
II. Données juridiques
 
A. Données juridiques directement liées à la franchise
 
• Principaux textes applicables
 
La Chine a légiféré en matière de franchise. La matière est encadrée par le règlement sur l’administration des franchises commerciales[41] ; le règlement sur les mesures administratives relatives à l'enregistrement des franchises commerciales[42] et le règlement sur les mesures administratives relatives à l'information précontractuelle pour les franchises commerciales est entré en vigueur le 1er mai 2007[43] et a été modifié le 23 février 2012[44].
 
L’article 3 du règlement sur l’administration des franchises commerciales définit la franchise comme étant un contrat par lequel le franchiseur accorde au franchisé le droit d’utiliser ses ressources d’exploitation commerciale (marques, brevets, technologies) et le franchisé exerce son activité selon un mode de fonctionnement uniforme et paie au franchiseur des frais de franchises.
 
En Chine, il existe deux notions de franchise, comme aux Etats-Unis : les franchises de type commerciale et les accords de distribution[45].
 
Pour pouvoir proposer une franchise, le franchiseur doit avoir possédé et exploité au moins deux points de vente pendant une durée minimale d’un an. A noter que ces points de vente peuvent être situés en dehors de la Chine, à condition qu’ils soient exploités sous la même marque de franchise que la marque chinoise[46].
 
Comme la plupart des droits en la matière, le droit chinois relatif à la franchise contient des dispositions relatives à l'information précontractuelle. La loi contient également des dispositions relatives aux obligations des parties.
 
Le Code civil[47] est également applicable aux contrats de franchise.
 
• Information précontractuelle
 
En vertu des articles 21 et 23 du règlement sur l’administration des franchises commerciales, l'information précontractuelle et le projet de contrat doivent être remis au candidat franchisé au moins trente jours avant la signature du contrat. La remise des informations précontractuelles doit se faire par écrit. L’article 5 des mesures administratives relatives à l'information précontractuelle pour les franchises commerciales peut servir d’exemple sur la forme que peut prendre le document d’informations précontractuelles.
 
Selon l’article 5 des mesures administratives relatives à l'information précontractuelle pour les franchises commerciales, l'information requise contient des précisions relatives au franchiseur (nom, activité, etc.) et aux sociétés de son groupe, aux biens de propriété intellectuelle dont il dispose, aux obligations financières du franchisé, aux obligations relatives à l'approvisionnement, aux services rendus par le franchiseur (consistance de l'assistance et du savoir-faire), au contrôle exercé par le franchiseur sur le franchisé, aux investissements qui devront être exposés par le franchisé, à la branche chinoise du réseau de franchise (liste des magasins franchisés en Chine et une évaluation de leur performance commerciale), aux comptes du franchiseur et aux affaires judiciaires le concernant (procédures collectives, procès importants en cours relatifs à la franchise, condamnations pénales ayant touché le franchiseur ou ses représentant légaux), aux faillites que le franchiseurs a connu dans les deux dernières années, une copie du contrat de franchise envisagé et toute autre information importante.
 
Le non-respect de l'obligation d'information précontractuelle entraîne la nullité du contrat à la demande du franchisé. Par ailleurs, en vertu du règlement sur l’administration des franchises commerciales le ministère du Commerce peut imposer une amende au franchiseur, pouvant aller jusqu’à 100 000 yuans (environ 15 000 dollars). Cependant, le ministère du commerce y donne rarement suite[48].
 
• Exécution du contrat
 
Le contrat de franchise est impérativement écrit. En vertu des articles 7 et 509 du Code civil, ainsi que l’article 4 du règlement sur l’administration des franchises commerciales les parties doivent agir équitablement, honnêtement et de bonne foi.
 
Les franchiseurs doivent s’enregistrer auprès du Ministre du commerce (MOFCOM) dans les 15 jours suivant la signature du contrat[49]. Quant aux franchiseurs étrangers, ils doivent s’inscrire auprès du Ministre du commerce de Pékin[50].
 
Le contrat doit indiquer les données générales relatives aux parties, les obligations financières du franchisé, les services rendus par le franchiseur au franchisé, les exigences de qualité et les modalités du contrôle de leur respect, les méthodes de publicité employées par le franchiseur, les modalités d'extinction du contrat, la responsabilité pour rupture du contrat et les modalités de rupture.
 
La durée du contrat de franchise ne peut, en principe, être inférieure à trois ans, sauf accord du franchisé. Cette durée minimale ne s’applique pas en cas de renouvellement du contrat de franchise (article 13 du règlement sur l’administration des franchises commerciales).
 
Selon l’article 12 du règlement sur l’administration des franchises commerciales, les parties conviennent dans le contrat de franchise que le franchisé peut résilier unilatéralement le contrat dans un certain délai après la conclusion du contrat de franchise.
 
• Clauses attributives de juridictions et droit applicable
 
La Chine a ratifié la Convention de New York de 1958 facilitant la reconnaissance et l’exécution des sentences arbitrales étrangères.
 
• Marque
 
La loi régissant la protection de la marque en Chine est la loi des marques du 23 août 1982[51]. Afin d'être enregistrée, la marque doit être distinctive, ne doit pas entrer en conflit avec une marque enregistrée préalablement et ne pas contenir les éléments listés à l'article 10 de ladite loi. Par ailleurs, elle ne doit pas être identique à une marque déposée à l'étranger pour des biens identiques ou similaires ou à une marque connue et déposée en Chine pour des produits différents.
 
Les franchiseurs doivent, en plus des marques et logos déposés dans une autre langue que le chinois, créer et enregistrer une marque en caractère chinois[52].
 
Une fois enregistrée, la marque est protégée pour une durée de 10 ans, renouvelable, à compter de la date d’approbation de l’enregistrement (article 39 et 40 de la loi des marques de la République de Chine).
 
La marque chinoise est enregistrée auprès de l'Administration nationale de la propriété intellectuelle. Afin d'enregistrer une marque, son déposant doit, s'il est étranger et ne dispose d'aucune implantation en Chine, être représenté par une entreprise de propriété intellectuelle autorisée.
 
La Chine est membre du système de Madrid ; la marque chinoise peut donc être enregistrée par la voie internationale. Le système de Madrid permet aux entreprises d’obtenir une protection de la marque, dans maximum 130 pays, en déposant une seule demande internationale, en une seule langue, auprès de l’Organisation Mondiale de la Propriété Intellectuelle (OMPI). En vertu de l’article 6 de l’Arrangement de Madrid, l’enregistrement d’une marque est valable pour 20 ans.
 
La Chine est membre de la Convention de Paris, prévoyant que chaque Etat contractant accorde, en ce qui concerne la propriété industrielle, la même protection aux ressortissants des autres Etats contractants qu’à ses propres ressortissants. Enfin, la Chine a adhéré à l'Arrangement de Nice.

En Chine, les demandes d’enregistrement des marques peuvent être traitées au niveau national et international via l'OMPI. L'Administration nationale de la propriété intellectuelle de Chine (CNIPA) procède à des examens, émettant des notifications de modification ou de refus si nécessaire. Les demandes multi-classes et mono-classes sont acceptées, bien que les demandes mono-classes soient généralement préférées en raison d’un nombre réduit de complications. Les marques sont sujettes à l'annulation pour non-utilisation après trois ans à compter de la date d'enregistrement. Pour développer une franchise dans ce pays, il est conseillé de couvrir « l'assistance commerciale en matière de franchise » acceptée en classe 35 de la classification de Nice par l'Office des marques. Cependant, veuillez noter que les services de vente au détail ne sont pas acceptés. L'enregistrement d'un contrat de licence n'est pas obligatoire mais offre des avantages juridiques. Il convient de noter que la CNIPA n'accepte que les enregistrements de marques déposées et que la durée des licences n’est pas automatiquement prolongée avec les renouvellements.

In China, trademark applications can be handled both nationally and through WIPO. The China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) conducts examinations, issuing amendment or refusal notices if necessary. Both multi-class and mono-class applications are accepted, though single-class applications are typically preferred due to fewer complications. Trademarks are subject to cancellation for non-use after three years from the registration date. To develop a franchise in this country, it is advisable to cover "Business assistance relating to franchising" that is accepted under class 35 by the trademark office. Please note however that retail services are not accepted. Recording a licensing agreement is not compulsory but offers legal advantages. Special considerations include that CNIPA only accepts records for registered trademarks, and licensed terms do not automatically extend with renewals.

 
• Particularités
 
Le secret des affaires et, en tant que tel, le savoir-faire du franchiseur, est protégé en Chine, par la loi relative à la concurrence déloyale entrée en vigueur le 1er décembre 1993[53].
 
B. Données juridiques périphériques
 
• Droit de la concurrence
 
Le droit des ententes et des abus de position dominante est régi par la loi anti-monopole du 30 août 2007 entrée en vigueur le 1er août 2008[54].
 
Cette loi prohibe les accords, décisions et autres actes concertés qui éliminent ou restreignent la concurrence.
 
Les ententes verticales, prohibées par l'article 14 de ladite loi, comprennent la fixation de prix de revente fixes et celle de prix de reventes minimaux. De plus, les clauses de vente liées sont également interdites par l’article 17 de ladite loi.
 
Des possibilités d'exemption sont prévues, notamment en cas d'amélioration des techniques, de l'efficacité ou de la compétitivité des entreprises, le bénéfice de l'intérêt public, à condition que les consommateurs en bénéficient et que la concurrence ne soit pas totalement éliminée sur le marché concerné. À l'inverse du droit européen en la matière, le droit chinois ne prévoit pas que les ententes considérées doivent être indispensables à l'obtention de l'avantage les justifiant pour bénéficier de l'exemption.
 
Néanmoins, les types d'ententes et les cas d'exemption ne font pas l'objet d'une définition précise. Il est également recommandé d'être particulièrement vigilant aux règles de concurrence dans le cadre de l'implantation d'un réseau, d'autant que les sanctions tendent à être renforcées.
 
Le contrôle des ententes relève de l'Administration d'État pour la régulation.

• Données personnelles

La loi sur la protection des informations personnelles, entrée en vigueur le 1er novembre 2021[55], introduit un principe de minimisation des données personnelles collectées. Cette loi ne s’applique pas à l’Etat.
 
L’article 4 de la loi sur la protection des informations personnelles définit l’information personnelle comme étant une information relative à une personne physique identifiée et identifiable, enregistrée électroniquement ou par d’autres moyens. Elle n’inclut pas les informations anonymisées.
 
Pour traiter une information personnelle, le responsable de traitement doit définir des finalités explicites et raisonnables (article 6 loi sur la protection des informations personnelles).
 
A l’instar du Règlement général sur la protection des données européen, la loi sur la protection des informations personnelles dispose de six conditions de licéité du traitement (le consentement de la personne concernée ; nécessité du traitement pour la conclusion ou l’exécution d’un contrat dans lequel la personne concernée est partie ; obligation légale ; urgence de santé publique, ou protection de la vie, de la santé et de la sécurité des biens des personnes physiques en cas d’urgence ; reportage, surveillance des médias et autres activités menées dans l’intérêt public et les informations personnelles divulguées par la personnes concernées).
 
La loi sur la protection des informations personnelles impose, dorénavant, aux entreprises du secteur numérique de désigner une personne responsable du traitement des données et de réaliser des audits de manière régulière du système de sécurité.
 
Puis, la loi sur la protection des informations personnelles met également fin à la discrimination algorithmique, permettant d’adapter le prix des produits vendus en ligne en fonction des données recueillies sur le consommateur.
 
Par cette loi, le transfert de données personnelles de la Chine vers d’autres pays est notamment conditionné au fait d’avoir un niveau de protection des données équivalent à celui de la Chine.
 
• Dispositions particulières aux investissements étrangers
 
Depuis une vingtaine d'années, et en particulier depuis l'adhésion de la Chine à l'Organisation mondiale du commerce en 2001, le pays s'est progressivement ouvert aux investissements étrangers.
 
La loi sur les investissements étrangers[56] et les mesures administratives spéciales pour l’accès des investissements étrangers, lesquelles sont publiées chaque année par le Ministre du commerce, régissent le droit des investissements étrangers.
 
L’article 3 de la loi sur les investissements étrangers précise que la Chine souhaite favoriser et encourager les investisseurs étrangers à investir en Chine.
 
L’article 2 de la loi sur les investissements étrangers définit l’entreprise étrangère comme celle qui est contrôlée par des investisseurs étrangers. La détention capitalistique directe n’est pas prise en compte dans la définition d’une entreprise étrangère. L’article 4 de ladite loi dispose que l’Etat chinois met en œuvre un « traitement national avant établissement », ce qui signifie que le traitement accordé aux investisseurs étrangers et à leurs investissements pendant la phase d’accès aux investissements est équivalent à celui des investisseurs nationaux.
 
La majorité des activités de franchise sont ouvertes aux investissements étrangers.
 
Chaque nouvelle entité commerciale s’implantant en Chine doit obtenir une licence commerciale incluant l’offre de franchises et les activités couvertes par la franchise. Dans un délai de trente jours suivant l’obtention de la licence commerciale, l’entreprise doit s’enregistrer auprès de l’administration fiscale de l’Etat local[57].
 
Principaux sites internet :
 
— propriété intellectuelle : www.chinatrademarkoffice.com ;
— China chain association store and franchise : http://www.ccfa.org.cn ;
—Législation : http://en.npc.gov.cn.cdurl.cn/laws.html ;
—Institut officiel des statistiques : https://www.stats.gov.cn/;
—Banque Mondiale :  https://www.banquemondiale.org/fr/home.


[1] Sauf indications contraires, les données ci-dessous proviennent de l’Atlas, socio-économique des pays du monde, Larousse, édition 2024
[2] https://www.stats.gov.cn/sj/ndsj/2023/indexeh.htm
[3] https://donnees.banquemondiale.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.CD?locations=CN
[4] https://www.stats.gov.cn/sj/ndsj/2023/indexeh.htm
[5] https://donnees.banquemondiale.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.PP.CD?locations=CN
[6] https://donnees.banquemondiale.org/indicator/NY.GDP.PCAP.PP.CD?locations=CN
[7] https://donnees.banquemondiale.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.KD.ZG?locations=CN
[8]https://fr.statista.com/statistiques/1382617/taux-alphabetisation-chine-sexe/#:~:text=Cette%20statistique%20indique%20le%20taux,d%C3%A9passait%20les%2097%20%25%20en%202020.
[9] https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/Pays/CN/indicateurs-et-conjoncture
[10] https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/chine/presentation-de-la-chine/
[11] https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/Pays/CN/indicateurs-et-conjoncture
[12]https://www.geo.fr/geopolitique/chine-crise-economique-risque-faire-de-gros-degats-sur-la-classe-moyenne-croissance-pib-emploi-immobilier-consommation-interieure-218502
[13]https://www.geo.fr/geopolitique/chine-crise-economique-risque-faire-de-gros-degats-sur-la-classe-moyenne-croissance-pib-emploi-immobilier-consommation-interieure-218502
[14]https://www.lemonde.fr/economie/article/2023/10/22/en-chine-le-chomage-de-masse-chez-les-jeunes-embarrasse-pekin_6195996_3234.html#:~:text=Le%20ch%C3%B4mage%20des%20jeunes%20n,record%20%C3%A0%2021%2C3%20%25.
[15]https://www.latribune.fr/economie/international/chine-malgre-un-nouveau-repli-de-l-activite-manufacturiere-le-climat-economique-s-ameliore-989291.html
[16]http://fr.china-embassy.gov.cn/fra/gzzg/201106/t20110609_2573290.htm#:~:text=Parmi%20les%20158%20dont%20les,%2C%20phosphore%2C%20soufre%20et%20sylvine.
[17]https://www.lemonde.fr/economie/article/2023/01/17/en-chine-une-chute-demographique-inedite-malgre-une-politique-familiale-plus-accommodante_6158176_3234.html
[18] Atlas, socio-économique des pays du monde, Larousse, édition 2024
[19] https://www.stats.gov.cn/sj/ndsj/2023/indexeh.htm
[20] https://www.populationdata.net/pays/chine/
[21]https://www.latribune.fr/economie/international/chine-malgre-un-nouveau-repli-de-l-activite-manufacturiere-le-climat-economique-s-ameliore-989291.html
[22] Atlas socio-économique des pays du monde, Larousse, édition 2024
[23] https://www.lopinion.fr/international/pourquoi-les-investisseurs-etrangers-boudent-le-marche-chinois
[24]https://www.btrade.ma/fr/observer-les-pays/chine/investir#:~:text=Singapour%2C%20les%20%C3%AEles%20Vierges%2C%20la,comptent%20parmi%20les%20principaux%20investisseurs.
[25] Les informations ci-dessous proviennent de http://www.ccfa.org.cn/portal/cn/xiangxic.jsp?type=11
[26] N° 811, bâtiment de l'économie et du commerce extérieur, n° 22 rue Fuwai, district de Xicheng, Pékin, Tél : 010-68784950 
[27] https://www.chinafranchiseexpo.com/
[28] https://www.sfeshow.com/
[29]https://www.global-franchise.com/insight/china-the-impenetrable-business-behemoth#:~:text=The%20average%20store%20investment%20for%20a%20franchise%20in%20China%20is%20%24100%2C000
[30] http://www.ccfa.org.cn/portal/cn/xiangxi.jsp?id=445063&type=10003
[31] Idem
[32] https://www.china-briefing.com/news/franchise-china-guide/
[33] idem
[34] https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3161554/chinas-smallest-firms-failing-historic-pace-437-million-close
[35]https://www.global-franchise.com/insight/china-the-impenetrable-business-behemoth#:~:text=The%20average%20store%20investment%20for%20a%20franchise%20in%20China%20is%20%24100%2C000
[36] https://www.china-briefing.com/news/franchise-china-guide/
[37]https://www.global-franchise.com/insight/china-the-impenetrable-business-behemoth#:~:text=The%20average%20store%20investment%20for%20a%20franchise%20in%20China%20is%20%24100%2C000
[38] https://gitnux.org/franchise-statistics/
[39] http://www.ccfa.org.cn/portal/cn/xiangxi.jsp?id=445063&type=10003
[40]https://www.global-franchise.com/insight/china-the-impenetrable-business-behemoth#:~:text=The%20average%20store%20investment%20for%20a%20franchise%20in%20China%20is%20%24100%2C000
[41] Ordonnance n°485 du Conseil d’Etat de la République populaire de Chine
[42] Décret n° 5 de 2011 du Ministère du commerce
[43] Ordonnance n°16 de 2007 du Ministre du Commerce
[44] Ordonnance n°2 de 2012 du Ministre du Commerce
[45] https://www.franchise.org/sites/default/files/2022-09/2023%20Franchise%20-%20China%20%28IYU%29.pdf
[46] https://iclg.com/practice-areas/franchise-laws-and-regulations/china
[47] https://www.gov.cn/xinwen/2020-06/01/content_5516649.htm
[48] https://iclg.com/practice-areas/franchise-laws-and-regulations/china
[49] Article 8 du Franchise regulation
[50] https://iclg.com/practice-areas/franchise-laws-and-regulations/china
[51] https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/fr/text/579988
[52] https://www.franchise.org/sites/default/files/2022-09/2023%20Franchise%20-%20China%20%28IYU%29.pdf
[53] Promulguée par l’ordonnance n°10 de la République populaire de Chine le 2 septembre 1993
[54] Promulgué par l’arrêté n°68 du Président de la République populaire de Chine le 30 août 2007
[55] http://en.npc.gov.cn.cdurl.cn/2021-12/29/c_694559.htm
[56] Adoptée le 15 mars 2019 et entrée en vigueur le 1er janvier 2020
[57] https://www.fdichina.com/fr/blog/business-license-in-china/

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