In Maryland, in the event of a conflict of laws, which law prevails regarding a City Publications franchise?

According to City Publications' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, for franchisees in Maryland, Maryland law will prevail in the event of a conflict of laws. Specifically, to the extent required by the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law, Maryland law takes precedence over Georgia law, which the standard franchise agreement stipulates.

This means that certain provisions of the City Publications franchise agreement that might be governed by Georgia law will instead be subject to Maryland law if there is a conflict. This is particularly relevant because Maryland has specific franchise laws in place to protect franchisees. These laws cover aspects such as termination, renewal, and dispute resolution.

For a prospective City Publications franchisee in Maryland, this amendment provides an added layer of protection. It ensures that the franchisee's rights under Maryland law are upheld, even if the standard franchise agreement points to another state's laws. Franchisees should consult with an attorney to fully understand the implications of this provision and how it interacts with the rest of the franchise agreement.