Does the New York amendment for City Publications address actions affecting a license?

Based on the 2025 FDD, the New York amendment for City Publications does not specifically address actions affecting a license. However, the document includes a general statement about compliance with New York law. Specifically, it states that the franchisee retains all rights and causes of action arising from Article 33 of the General Business Law of the State of New York and its regulations. This ensures that the non-waiver provisions of General Business Law Sections 687(4) and 687(5) are satisfied. This means that certain rights granted to franchisees under New York law cannot be waived.

The FDD states that this clause is added to the end of the "Summary" sections of Item 17(c), titled "Requirements for franchisee to renew or extend," and Item 17(m), entitled "Conditions for franchisor approval of transfer". This implies that these protections are particularly relevant when a franchisee is considering renewing their agreement or transferring it to someone else.

While the New York amendment doesn't explicitly mention actions affecting a license, the general reference to Article 33 of New York's General Business Law suggests that franchisees are protected by all applicable provisions of that law. A prospective franchisee should consult with legal counsel to fully understand their rights and obligations under New York law, including any potential implications for actions affecting a license.