§ 1171 Definitions
§ 1171-A Corporate affiliates
§ 1171-B Manufacturer; license
§ 1172 Advertisements
§ 1173 Attorney General and civil remedies
§ 1174 Prohibited conduct
§ 1174-A Limitations on establishing or relocating dealerships
§ 1174-B Transportation damages
§ 1174-C Survivorship
§ 1174-D Compensation for new vehicles with safety defect
§ 1175 Delivery and preparation obligations; product liability and implied warranty complaints
§ 1176 Warranty
§ 1176-A Audits
§ 1177 Unreasonable restrictions
§ 1178 Covered under written or oral agreements
§ 1179 Franchise interest, vested rights
§ 1180 Franchisee’s right to associate
§ 1181 Discounts and other inducements
§ 1182 Public policy
§ 1182-A Exemption for installation on previously assembled truck chassis
§ 1183 Statute of limitation
§ 1184 Construction
§ 1185 Jurisdiction
§ 1186 Penalty

Terms Used In Maine Revised Statutes > Title 10 > Part 3 > Chapter 204 > Subchapter 1 - Regulation of Business Practices Between Motor Vehicle Manufacturers, Distributors and Dealers

  • Adult: means a person who has attained the age of 18 years. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 1 Sec. 72
  • Advertisement: means all representations disseminated in any manner or by any means, other than by labeling, for the purpose of inducing, or which are likely to induce, directly or indirectly, the purchase of food. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 22 Sec. 2152
  • Affidavit: A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it, before a notary or officer having authority to administer oaths.
  • Amendment: A proposal to alter the text of a pending bill or other measure by striking out some of it, by inserting new language, or both. Before an amendment becomes part of the measure, thelegislature must agree to it.
  • Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
  • Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
  • Appellate: About appeals; an appellate court has the power to review the judgement of another lower court or tribunal.
  • Appropriation: The provision of funds, through an annual appropriations act or a permanent law, for federal agencies to make payments out of the Treasury for specified purposes. The formal federal spending process consists of two sequential steps: authorization
  • Assets: (1) The property comprising the estate of a deceased person, or (2) the property in a trust account.
  • Bankruptcy: Refers to statutes and judicial proceedings involving persons or businesses that cannot pay their debts and seek the assistance of the court in getting a fresh start. Under the protection of the bankruptcy court, debtors may discharge their debts, perhaps by paying a portion of each debt. Bankruptcy judges preside over these proceedings.
  • Board: means the Maine Motor Vehicle Franchise Board created pursuant to section 1187. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 10 Sec. 1171
  • Broker: means a person who, for a fee, commission or other valuable consideration, arranges or offers to arrange a transaction involving the sale, for purposes other than resale, of a new motor vehicle and who is not:
A. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 10 Sec. 1171
  • Chief judge: The judge who has primary responsibility for the administration of a court but also decides cases; chief judges are determined by seniority.
  • Commissioner: means the Commissioner of Health and Human Services. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 22 Sec. 1-A
  • Commissioner: means the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry or the commissioner's duly authorized agents. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 22 Sec. 2152
  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
  • Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
  • Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
  • Department: means the Department of Health and Human Services. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 22 Sec. 1-A
  • Designated family member: means the spouse, child, grandchild, parent, brother or sister of the owner of a new motor vehicle dealer who, in the case of the owner's death, is entitled to inherit the ownership interest in the new motor vehicle dealer under the terms of the owner's will, or who, in the case of an incapacitated owner of a new motor vehicle dealer, has been appointed by a court as the legal representative of the new motor vehicle dealer's property. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 10 Sec. 1171
  • Discovery: Lawyers' examination, before trial, of facts and documents in possession of the opponents to help the lawyers prepare for trial.
  • Distributor branch: means a branch office maintained by a distributor or wholesaler who or which sells or distributes new or used motor vehicles to motor vehicle dealers. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 10 Sec. 1171
  • Distributor representative: means a representative employed by a distributor branch, distributor or wholesaler. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 10 Sec. 1171
  • Docket: A log containing brief entries of court proceedings.
  • Equitable: Pertaining to civil suits in "equity" rather than in "law." In English legal history, the courts of "law" could order the payment of damages and could afford no other remedy. See damages. A separate court of "equity" could order someone to do something or to cease to do something. See, e.g., injunction. In American jurisprudence, the federal courts have both legal and equitable power, but the distinction is still an important one. For example, a trial by jury is normally available in "law" cases but not in "equity" cases. Source: U.S. Courts
  • Essential tool: means a tool, implement or other device required by the manufacturer, including but not limited to a tablet, scanner, diagnostic machine, computer, computer program, computer software, website, website portal or similar tool, with respect to which there is no other similar tool or device available from any source other than the manufacturer or the representative of a manufacturer that will perform the function necessary to the diagnosis or repair of a manufacturer's express warranty claim on a new motor vehicle. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 10 Sec. 1171
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Factory branch: means a branch office maintained by a manufacturer which manufactures or assembles motor vehicles for sale to distributors or motor vehicle dealers or which is maintained for directing and supervising the representatives of the manufacturer. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 10 Sec. 1171
  • Factory representative: means a representative employed by a manufacturer or employed by a factory branch for the purpose of making or promoting the sale of motor vehicles or for supervising, servicing, instructing or contracting motor vehicle dealers or prospective motor vehicle dealers. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 10 Sec. 1171
  • Fair market value: The price at which an asset would change hands in a transaction between a willing, informed buyer and a willing, informed seller.
  • Federal Act: means the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (Title 21 U. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 22 Sec. 2152
  • Fiscal year: The fiscal year is the accounting period for the government. For the federal government, this begins on October 1 and ends on September 30. The fiscal year is designated by the calendar year in which it ends; for example, fiscal year 2006 begins on October 1, 2005 and ends on September 30, 2006.
  • Food: means articles used for food or drink for humans or other animals, chewing gum and articles used for components of any such article. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 22 Sec. 2152
  • Food establishment: includes a caregiver, as defined in section 2422, subsection 8?A, and a registered dispensary, as defined in section 2422, subsection 6, that prepare food containing cannabis for medical use by a qualifying patient pursuant to chapter 558?C. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 22 Sec. 2152
  • Food salvage establishment: means a food establishment engaged in reconditioning or by other means salvaging distressed merchandise and includes any food establishment that sells, buys, warehouses or distributes any salvaged merchandise. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 22 Sec. 2152
  • Foreclosure: A legal process in which property that is collateral or security for a loan may be sold to help repay the loan when the loan is in default. Source: OCC
  • Franchise: means an oral or written arrangement for a definite or indefinite period in which a manufacturer, distributor or wholesaler grants to a motor vehicle dealer a license to use a trade name, service mark or related characteristic, and in which there is a community of interest in the marketing of motor vehicles or services related thereto at wholesale, retail, leasing or otherwise. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 10 Sec. 1171
  • Franchisee: means a motor vehicle dealer to whom a franchise is offered or granted. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 10 Sec. 1171
  • Franchisor: means a manufacturer, distributor or wholesaler who grants a franchise to a motor vehicle dealer. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 10 Sec. 1171
  • Gift: A voluntary transfer or conveyance of property without consideration, or for less than full and adequate consideration based on fair market value.
  • Good faith: means honesty in fact and the observation of reasonable commercial standards of fair dealing in the trade as is defined and interpreted in the Uniform Commercial Code, Title 11, section 1?1201, subsection (20). See Maine Revised Statutes Title 10 Sec. 1171
  • Habeas corpus: A writ that is usually used to bring a prisoner before the court to determine the legality of his imprisonment. It may also be used to bring a person in custody before the court to give testimony, or to be prosecuted.
  • In forma pauperis: In the manner of a pauper. Permission given to a person to sue without payment of court fees on claim of indigence or poverty.
  • in writing: include printing and other modes of making legible words. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 1 Sec. 72
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Label: means a display of written, printed or graphic matter upon the immediate container of any article. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 22 Sec. 2152
  • Labeling: means all labels and other written, printed or graphic matter upon an article or any of its containers or wrappers, or accompanying such article. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 22 Sec. 2152
  • Lease: A contract transferring the use of property or occupancy of land, space, structures, or equipment in consideration of a payment (e.g., rent). Source: OCC
  • Line make: means motor vehicles that are offered for sale, lease or distribution under a common name, trademark, service mark or brand name. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 10 Sec. 1171
  • Litigation: A case, controversy, or lawsuit. Participants (plaintiffs and defendants) in lawsuits are called litigants.
  • Majority: when used in reference to age shall mean the age of 18 and over. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 1 Sec. 72
  • manufacturer: includes the terms "franchisor" "distributor" "distributor branch" "factory branch" and "factory representative. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 10 Sec. 1171
  • Markup: The process by which congressional committees and subcommittees debate, amend, and rewrite proposed legislation.
  • Month: means a calendar month. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 1 Sec. 72
  • Mortgage: The written agreement pledging property to a creditor as collateral for a loan.
  • Motor vehicle: means any motor-driven vehicle, except motorcycles and recreational vehicles defined under section 1432, subsection 18?A, required to be registered under Title 29?A, chapter 5. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 10 Sec. 1171
  • Motor vehicle dealer: means a person other than a manufacturer, distributor, distributor branch, distributor representative, factory branch or factory representative who sells or solicits or advertises the sale of new or used motor vehicles. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 10 Sec. 1171
  • Municipality: includes cities, towns and plantations, except that "municipality" does not include plantations in Title 10, chapter 110, subchapter IV; or Title 30?A, Part 2. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 1 Sec. 72
  • New motor vehicle: means a motor vehicle that has not been previously sold to any person except a distributor, wholesaler or motor vehicle dealer for resale by a franchise. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 10 Sec. 1171
  • Nolo contendere: No contest-has the same effect as a plea of guilty, as far as the criminal sentence is concerned, but may not be considered as an admission of guilt for any other purpose.
  • Oath: includes an affirmation, when affirmation is allowed. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 1 Sec. 72
  • Oath: A promise to tell the truth.
  • Obligation: An order placed, contract awarded, service received, or similar transaction during a given period that will require payments during the same or a future period.
  • Partnership: A voluntary contract between two or more persons to pool some or all of their assets into a business, with the agreement that there will be a proportional sharing of profits and losses.
  • Person: means a natural person, corporation, partnership, trust or other entity, and, in case of an entity, it shall include any other entity in which it has a majority interest or effectively controls as well as the individual officers, directors and other persons in active control of the activities of each such entity. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 10 Sec. 1171
  • Personal property: All property that is not real property.
  • Plea: In a criminal case, the defendant's statement pleading "guilty" or "not guilty" in answer to the charges, a declaration made in open court.
  • Probate: Proving a will
  • Probation: A sentencing alternative to imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision as long as certain conditions are observed.
  • Quorum: The number of legislators that must be present to do business.
  • Real estate: includes lands and all tenements and hereditaments connected therewith, and all rights thereto and interests therein. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 1 Sec. 72
  • Real property: Land, and all immovable fixtures erected on, growing on, or affixed to the land.
  • Remainder: An interest in property that takes effect in the future at a specified time or after the occurrence of some event, such as the death of a life tenant.
  • Remand: When an appellate court sends a case back to a lower court for further proceedings.
  • Reporter: Makes a record of court proceedings and prepares a transcript, and also publishes the court's opinions or decisions (in the courts of appeals).
  • Retail food establishment: means a food establishment where food and food products are offered for sale to the consumer and intended for off-premise consumption. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 22 Sec. 2152
  • Sale: means the issuance, transfer, agreement for transfer, exchange, pledge, hypothecation, mortgage in any form, whether by transfer in trust or otherwise, of any motor vehicle or interest therein or of any franchise related thereto; and any option, subscription or other contract, or solicitation looking to a sale, or offer or attempt to sell in any form, whether spoken or written. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 10 Sec. 1171
  • Salvage broker: means a person, firm or corporation engaged in buying, selling, distributing or warehousing any distressed merchandise, whether or not in combination with other merchandise, which does not operate a food salvage establishment. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 22 Sec. 2152
  • Service of process: The service of writs or summonses to the appropriate party.
  • Settlement: Parties to a lawsuit resolve their difference without having a trial. Settlements often involve the payment of compensation by one party in satisfaction of the other party's claims.
  • Statute of limitations: A law that sets the time within which parties must take action to enforce their rights.
  • Successor manufacturer: means any manufacturer that succeeds, or assumes any part of the business of, another manufacturer, referred to as the "predecessor manufacturer" as the result of:
  • A. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 10 Sec. 1171
  • Tort: A civil wrong or breach of a duty to another person, as outlined by law. A very common tort is negligent operation of a motor vehicle that results in property damage and personal injury in an automobile accident.
  • Uniform Commercial Code: A set of statutes enacted by the various states to provide consistency among the states' commercial laws. It includes negotiable instruments, sales, stock transfers, trust and warehouse receipts, and bills of lading. Source: OCC
  • United States: includes territories and the District of Columbia. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 1 Sec. 72
  • User fees: Fees charged to users of goods or services provided by the government. In levying or authorizing these fees, the legislature determines whether the revenue should go into the treasury or should be available to the agency providing the goods or services.
  • Venue: The geographical location in which a case is tried.
  • wholesaler: means any person who sells or distributes new or used motor vehicles to motor vehicle dealers or who maintains distributor representatives within this State. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 10 Sec. 1171
  • Year: means a calendar year, unless otherwise expressed. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 1 Sec. 72