Legal Question in Business Law in Illinois

We are a small online distributor of Italian imported coffee and we have just begun operating in USA. One of the brands, brand A, that we import from Italy is trying to force us to purchase coffee through another distributor in the USA.

We are able to buy coffee brand A through a friend in Europe.

Is it legal for us to sell coffee in the USA without permission from Company A that's located in Italy?


Asked on 12/16/11, 10:12 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Stephen Messutta

I can't answer regarding European anti-trust or related laws that could affect distribution - you really need to make sure the "friend" has the legal right to be a distributor there, however, or you could lose your distributor friend if the coffee company is able to stop shipments through your friend. As far as being forced to buy the coffee through a US based distributor, there are laws that protect foreign producers from "black market" sales which may be what the coffee company thinks is going on with you and your "friend" and is attempting to enforce. See an attorney for a full review of your import/export rights.

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Answered on 12/17/11, 6:50 am


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