2011 Wisconsin Code
Chapter 135. Dealership practices.
135.01 Short title.

135.01

135.01 Short title. This chapter may be cited as the "Wisconsin Fair Dealership Law".

135.01 - ANNOT.

History: 1973 c. 179.

135.01 - ANNOT.

This chapter was enacted for the protection of the interests of the dealer whose economic livelihood may be imperiled by the dealership grantor, whatever its size. Rossow Oil Co. v. Heiman, 72 Wis. 2d 696, 242 N.W.2d 176 (1976).

135.01 - ANNOT.

This chapter covers only agreements entered into after April 5, 1974. Wipperfurth v. U-Haul Co. of Western Wis., Inc. 101 Wis. 2d 586, 304 N.W.2d 767 (1981).

135.01 - ANNOT.

This chapter is constitutional; it may be applied to out-of-state dealers when provided by contract. C. A. Marine Sup. Co. v. Brunswick Corp. 557 F.2d 1163. See: Boatland, Inc. v. Brunswick Corp. 558 F.2d 818.

135.01 - ANNOT.

When a dealer did not comply with all the terms of acceptance of a dealership agreement, no contract was formed and this chapter did not apply. Century Hardware Corp. v. Acme United Corp. 467 F. Supp. 350 (1979).

135.01 - ANNOT.

Government regulation that interferes with the internal organization or affairs of a group has the potential to infringe on the group's freedom of expressive association. Application of this chapter to prevent the Girl Scouts of the United States of America from implementing its realignment plan fully constituted a burden on the organization's ability to advocate its viewpoints and was a direct affront to the Girl Scouts' reasoned efforts to organize and direct itself in a means that it judges most effective in proclaiming its expressive message. Girl Scouts of Manitou Council, Inc. v. Girl Scouts of the United States of America, 700 F. Supp. 2d 1055 (2011).

135.01 - ANNOT.

Dealing with the dealers: Scope of the Wisconsin fair dealership law. Axe, WBB Aug. 1981.

135.01 - ANNOT.

The fair dealership law: Good cause for review. Riteris and Robertson, WBB March, 1986.

135.01 - ANNOT.

Changing Business Strategy Under the Wisconsin Fair Dealership Law. Laufer. Wis. Law. March 1991.

135.01 - ANNOT.

Avoiding the Accidental Franchise. Modell & Fittante. Wis. Law. May 2003.

135.01 - ANNOT.

Determining "Community of Interest" Under the WFDL. Wright. Wis. Law. Dec. 2004.

135.01 - ANNOT.

Understanding the Wisconsin Fair Dealership Law. Wright & Aquino. Wis. Law. Nov. 2009.