Esber Beverage Co. v. Labatt USA Operating Co., L.L.C.

Overview

{¶ 1} This case deals with the rights of manufacturers and distributors of alcoholic beverages under the Ohio Alcoholic Beverages Franchise Act, R.C. 1333.82 et seq., when a manufacturer sells all of its rights relating to a particular brand of alcoholic beverage to a successor manufacturer. Under R.C. 1333.85(D), when there is a transfer of ownership, the successor manufacturer may terminate any distributor’s franchise without just cause by giving the distributor notice of termination within 90 days of the acquisition of the particular product or brand. Such notice of termination…