§ 2801. Definitions

Legislative history

Reconstructed from this section’s Code source credit and amendment notes, resolved against the local Statutes at Large. Editorial notes are evidence, not the law that made the change.

1. 1978

   Petroleum Marketing Practices Act

   Pub. L. 95–297 title I § 101 · 92 Stat. 322

   Enacted · 15 U.S.C. § 2801

   Pub. L. 95–297, title I, § 101, June 19, 1978, 92 Stat. 322

   Source evidence

   Code source credit
   Pub. L. 95–297, title I, § 101, June 19, 1978, 92 Stat. 322

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   Sec. 101. definitions As used in this title: (1) (A) The term “franchise” means any contract— (i) between a refiner and a distributor, (ii) between a refiner and a retailer, (iii) bet ween a distributor and another distributor, or (iv) between a distributor and a retailer, under which a refiner or distributor (as the case may be) authorizes or permits a retailer or distributor to use, in connection with the sale, consignment, or distribution of motor fuel, a trademark which is owned or controlled by such refiner or by a refiner which supplies motor fuel to the distributor which authorizes or permits such use. (B) The term “franchise” includes— (i) any contract under which a retailer or distributor (as the case may be) is authorized or permitted to occupy leased marketing premises, which premises are to be employed in connection with the sale, consignment, or distribution of motor fuel under a trademark which is owned or controlled by such refiner or by a refiner which supplies motor fuel to the distributor which authorizes or permits such occupancy; (ii) any contract pertaining to the supply of motor fuel which is to be sold, consigned or distributed— (I) under a trademark owned or controlled by a refiner; or (II) under a contract which has existed continuously since May 15, 1973, and pursuant to which, on May 15, 1973, motor fuel was sold, consigned or distributed under a trademark owned or controlled on such date by a refiner; and (iii) the unexpired portion of any franchise, as defined by the preceding provisions of this paragraph, which is transferred or assigned as authorized by the provisions of such franchise or by any applicable provision of State law which permits such transfer or assignment without regard to any provision of the franchise. (2) The term “franchise relationship” means the respective motor fuel marketing or distribution obligations and responsibilities of a franchisor and a franchisee which result from the marketing of motor fuel under a franchise. (3) The term “franchisor” means a refiner or distributor (as the case may be) who authorizes or permits, under a franchise, a retailer or distributor to use a trademark in connection with the sale, consignment, or distribution of motor fuel. (4) The term “franchisee” means a retailer or distributor (as the case may be) who is authorized or permitted, under a franchise, to use a trademark in connection with the sale, consignment, or distribution of motor fuel. (5) The term “refiner” means any person engaged in the refining of crude oil to produce motor fuel, and includes any affiliate of such person. (6) The term “distributor” means any person, including any affiliate of such person, who— (A) purchases motor fuel for sale, consignment, or distribution to another; or (B) receives motor fuel on consignment for consignment or distribution to his own motor fuel accounts or to accounts of his supplier, but shall not include a person who is an employee of, or merely serves as a common carrier providing transportation service for, such supplier. (7) The term “retailer” means any person who purchases motor fuel for sale to the general public for ultimate consumption. (8) The term “marketing premises” means, in the case of any franchise, premises which, under such franchise, are to be employed by the franchisee in connection with the sale, consignment, or distribution of motor fuel. (9) The term “leased marketing premises” means marketing premises owned, leased, or in any way controlled by a franchisor and which the franchisee is authorized or permitted, under the franchise, to employ in connection with the sale, consignment, or distribution of motor fuel. (10) The term “contract” means any oral or written agreement. For supply purposes, delivery levels during the same month of the previous year shall be prima facie evidence of an agreement to deliver such levels. (11) The term “trademark” means any trademark, trade name, service mark, or other identifying symbol or name. (12) The term “motor fuel” means gasoline and diesel fuel of a type distributed for use as a fuel in self-propelled vehicles designed primarily for use on public streets, roads, and highways. (13) The term “failure” does not include— (A) any failure which is only technical or unimportant to the franchise relationship; or (B) any failure for a cause beyond the reasonable control of the franchisee. (14) The terms “fail to renew” and “nonrenewal” mean, with respect to any franchise relationship, a failure to reinstate, continue, or extend the franchise relationship— (A) at the conclusion of the term, or on the expiration date, stated in the relevant franchise; (B) at any time, in the case of the relevant franchise which does not state a term of duration or an expiration date; or (C) following a termination (on or after the date of enactment of this Act) of the relevant franchise which was entered into prior to such date of enactment and has not been renewed after such date. (15) The term “affiliate” means any person who (other than by means of a franchise) controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, any other person. (16) The term “relevant geographic market area” includes a State or a standard metropolitan statistical area as periodically established by the Office of Management and Budget. (17) The term “termination” includes cancellation. (18) The term “commerce” means any trade, traffic, transportation, exchange, or other commerce— (A) between any State and any place outside of such State; or (B) which affects any trade, transportation, exchange, or other commerce described in subparagraph (A). (19) The term “State” means any State of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands. American Samoa, Guam, and any other commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States.

2. 1994

   Petroleum Marketing Practices Act Amendments of 1994

   Pub. L. 103–371 § 6 · 108 Stat. 3484

   Added · 15 U.S.C. § 2801(13)(C)

   Pub. L. 103–371 added subpar. (C)

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Par. (13)(C). Pub. L. 103–371 added subpar. (C).

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   SEC. 6. DEFINITION OF FAILURE. Section 101(13) of the Petroleum Marketing Practices Act (15 U.S.C. 2801(13)) is amended— (1) by striking “or” at the end of subparagraph (A); (2) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (B) and inserting in lieu thereof“; or”; and (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: “(C) any failure based on a provision of the franchise which is illegal or unenforceable under the law of any State (or subdivision thereof).”.

3. 2007

   Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007

   Pub. L. 110–140 title II § 241(c)(1) · 121 Stat. 1492

   Changed · 15 U.S.C. § 2801(13)(C)

   Pub. L. 110–140 aligned margins

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Par. (13)(C). Pub. L. 110–140 aligned margins.

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (1) In general.— Section 101(13) of the Petroleum Marketing Practices Act (15 U.S.C. 2801(13)) is amended by aligning the margin of subparagraph (C) with subparagraph (B).

   Effective date note
   Amendment by Pub. L. 110–140 effective on the date that is 1 day after Dec. 19, 2007, see section 1601 of Pub. L. 110–140, set out as an Effective Date note under section 1824 of Title 2, The Congress.

3 of 3 references resolved to an enrolled provision