What is the statute of limitations for claims arising under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law related to the Ben Jerrys Preliminary Agreement, according to the Maryland Preliminary Agreement Amendment?

According to Ben Jerrys's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the Maryland Preliminary Agreement Amendment addresses the statute of limitations for claims arising under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law. Specifically, any and all claims and actions arising out of or relating to the Preliminary Agreement must be commenced within three years from the grant of the franchise. This amendment modifies Section 17 of the Preliminary Agreement, which originally stipulated a one-year limitation for claims, to align with the requirements of Maryland law for franchise-related claims.

This means that a prospective Ben Jerrys franchisee in Maryland has three years from the date the franchise is granted to bring a claim under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law. This extended period provides franchisees with additional time to discover and address potential violations of the law, offering greater protection compared to the standard one-year limitation for other types of claims related to the Preliminary Agreement.

It is important to note that this three-year statute of limitations applies specifically to claims arising under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law. Other claims related to the Preliminary Agreement, outside of this specific law, are subject to a one-year statute of limitations. This distinction ensures that Ben Jerrys franchisees in Maryland have the full protection afforded by state franchise laws, while also maintaining a reasonable timeframe for resolving other disputes.