Florida § 320.6412 - Franchise termination based on fraud; standard of proof.

§ 320.6412. Franchise termination based on fraud; standard of proof.

Notwithstanding the provisions of any franchise agreement, a franchise agreement of a motor vehicle dealer may not be terminated, canceled, discontinued, or not renewed by a licensee on the basis of misrepresentation or fraud, or the filing of any false or fraudulent statements or claims with the licensee, unless the licensee proves by a preponderance of the evidence before a trier of fact either that the majority owner, or if there is no majority owner, the person designated as the dealer-principal in the franchise agreement, knew of such acts at the time they allegedly were committed, or that the licensee provided written notice detailing such alleged acts to the majority owner or dealer-principal who, within a reasonable time after receipt of such written notice, failed to take actions reasonably calculated to prevent such acts from continuing or recurring.