Distribution Law Center: Trade Agent Act

Part 1 - Derogation from the Act

Art. 1.

The Act may be derogated from by agreement unless otherwise stipulated in the Act. The rules in Part 3 may further be derogated from by custom.

(2) The rules in articles 22 and 25-27 may not be derogated from if that is to the detriment of the commercial agent through a choice-of-law agreement if the legal relationship would otherwise be governed by this Act.

(3) Where Danish law applies, that is, in circumstances where the commercial agent's duties for the principal under the contract are not to be discharged in a Member State of the EEC or EFTA, or in one of the Nordic countries, the parties may derogate from all the provisions of this Act. However, articles 22 and 25-27 may not be derogated from if indispensable provisions exist concerning termination and compensation in agency relationships in the country where the commercial agent is to discharge his duties or where the commercial agent is domiciled.

Part 2 - Commercial agents

Art. 2.

In this Act, commercial agent shall mean a person who has agreed with another (“the principal”), on behalf of the latter independently, continuously and after careful consideration, to engage in the sale or purchase of goods by obtaining offers (orders) to the principal or by concluding agreements in the name of the principal.

Art. 3.

The principal and the commercial agent are entitled to receive from the other party a signed document setting forth the terms of the agency agreement, including any subsequently agreed terms.

(2) Paragraph (1) may not be derogated from through an agreement.

Art. 4.

In discharging his duties, the commercial agent shall safeguard the principal's interests, as well as act loyally and honestly.

(2) It is especially incumbent upon the agent to

make reasonable efforts to obtain offers and, if so authorised, to conclude agreements on matters that are covered by the agency agreement;
inform the principal about offers obtained or agreements concluded as well as about other circumstances known by the agent and which the principal ought to be aware of; and
follow reasonable instructions given by the principal.

(3) Paragraphs (1)-(2) may not be derogated from by agreement.

Art. 5.

The principal shall act loyally and honestly towards the commercial agent.

(2) It is especially incumbent upon the principal to

make the necessary material regarding the goods in question available to the commercial agent;
provide the agent with the information necessary for discharging the duties; and
notify the agent within a reasonable time limit of acceptance or rejection of offers submitted and of any non-performance of an agreement brokered by the agent.

(3) If the principal anticipates that the level of agency business will be significantly lower than what the commercial agent would normally expect, the principal shall notify the agent accordingly within reasonable time .

(4) Paragraphs (1)-(3) may not be derogated from through an agreement.

Art. 6.

If the commercial agent or the principal fails to fulfil its obligations owed to the other party, that party is entitled to compensation for the damage caused.

(2) The party claiming compensation shall notify the other party without undue delay, after becoming aware of the failure and the damage. If not, the right to compensation will lapse.

(3) Paragraph (2) shall not apply if the other party has acted contrary to good morals or with gross negligence.

Art. 7.

If the commercial agent has goods in stock to be sold for the principal or bought for the principal, the agent holds the same obligations and rights with regard to the goods which the commission agent holds under Part II of the Danish Commission Act.

Commission

Art. 8.

If the amount of commission has not been agreed upon, the commercial agent is entitled to compensation in accordance with what is customary for agents of this kind at the place where the agent carries on his business. In the absence of such custom, the agent is entitled to commission which is reasonable in view of all circumstances regarding the business.

Art. 9.

The commercial agent is entitled to commission on an agreement concluded while the agency exists if

the agreement has been concluded through the participation of the agent;
the agreement has been concluded through no participation of the agent with a third party who the agent has previously acquired as a customer with respect to similar agreements; or
the agent has been assigned a specific geographical area or a specific clientele, and the agreement, though no participation of the agent, has been concluded with a third party belonging to the area or the clientele.

Art. 10.

If the agreement is concluded in circumstances as mentioned in article 9, sub 1-3, after the termination of the agency, the commercial agent is entitled to commission if the third party's offer reached the agent or the principal before the termination of the agency.

(2) The commercial agent is further entitled to commission if the agreement has mainly been brought about through the agent's business while the agency exists, and it has been concluded within reasonable time following the termination of the relationship.

(3) A newly appointed commercial agent is not entitled to commission under article 9 on an agreement on which the previous agent is entitled to commission under paragraphs (1)-(2), unless it is reasonably based on the circumstances to share the commission between the agents.

Art. 11.

The right to commission will lapse as soon as and to the extent one of the following circumstances exists:

the principal has or should have delivered the product or paid the purchase price according to the agreement with a third party.
the third party has paid the purchase price or delivered the product or should have done so under the agreement with the principal if the principal had fulfilled his part of the agreement.

(2). An agreement according to which the commission falls due later than what is provided by paragraph (1), sub 2, is invalid.

Art. 12.

The commission is payable on the last day of the month after the quarter in which the right to commission fell due, see Art. 11.

(2) Paragraph (1) shall not be derogated from to the detriment of the commercial agent.

Art. 13

The principal shall on the last day of the month after the quarter in which the right to commission fell due send the commercial agent a note regarding the commission that fell due in the quarter, see Art. 11. This note shall contain all significant information which has served as basis for the calculation of the commission.

(2) Paragraph (1) shall not be derogated from to the detriment of the commercial agent.

Art. 14.

Handelsagentens krav på provision bortfalder kun, hvis det godtgøres, at aftalen mellem agenturgiveren og tredjemand ikke opfyldes, og dette ikke skyldes omstændigheder, der kan tilregnes agenturgiveren.

(2) Er tredjemands manglende opfyldelse en følge af, at agenturgiveren uden handelsagentens samtykke har givet tredjemand henstand med opfyldelse af aftalen eller har indgået overenskomst om ophævelse af denne, påvirker dette ikke agentens krav på provision.

(3) Opfyldes tredjemands forpligtelse efter aftalen kun delvis, har handelsagenten kun krav på provision af den del, der er opfyldt, medmindre andet følger af stk. (1)-(2).

(4) Stk. (1)-(3) kan ikke ved forudgående aftale fraviges til skade for handelsagenten.

(5) Bortfalder provisionskravet efter stk. (1), skal handelsagenten tilbagebetale modtagne provisionsbeløb.

Art. 15.

The agent is entitled to receive from the principal all information, including extracts of accounting records, available to the principal and which the agent needs to enable him to verify whether the commission statement contains the amounts of commission which he has earned.

(2) If the principal refuses to supply the information referred to in paragraph (1), or if there is reasonable doubt as to the accuracy of the information or of the commission statement, the commercial agent may demand that the principal give the agent,a state-authorised or a registered public accountant appointed by the agent, access to examine extracts of the principal's accounting records.

(3) The duty according to paragraphs (1)-(2) will not apply if it would disclose information relating to matters in which the principal would otherwise be excused from giving evidence as a witness, cf. Art. 171 of the Administration of Justice Act.

(4) Paragraphs (1)-(2) cannot be derogated from through an agreement to the detriment of the commercial agent.

Relations with third parties

Art. 16.

The agent may not, without special authorisation from the principal, enter into agreements that will bind the principal.

(2) If the agent has concluded an agreement without authorisation and which the principal will not approve, the principal shall notify the third party without undue delay after having been informed of the agreement. If the principal fails to do so, he shall be bound by the agreement if the third party was in good faith regarding the commercial agent's authorisation.

Art. 17.

If the principal does not wish to accept an offer received by the commercial agent , the principal shall inform the third party accordingly without undue delay after having been informed of the offer. If he fails to do so, the offer will be deemed to be accepted.

(2) Paragraph (1) will not apply if the commercial agent and the third party have agreed that the offer shall explicitly be accepted by the principal.

Art. 18.

If a third party has submitted an offer to the commercial agent and the commercial agent has forwarded the offer to the principal, the third party is entitled to withdraw the offer before or at the same time as the offer is brought to the principal's knowledge.

(2) Art. 1 will not apply if otherwise agreed between the commercial agent and the third party.

Art. 19.

If a third party, who is engaged in business with the principal, after negotiations with the commercial agent, is informed that the principal accepts an agreement or an offer submitted by the agent, the third party shall inform the principal accordingly without undue delay if the third party considers that he has not concluded any agreement or submitted any offer, or that the agreement or offer is incorrectly stated. If the third party fails to do so, he shall be deemed to have concluded the agreement in accordance with the content of the notice given to the principal, unless otherwise proven.

Art. 20.

The agent may not, without special authorisation, receive payment for sold goods or, after conclusion of the agreement, grant a respite for payment, a price reduction or any other alterations in the agreement.

(2) If the principal learns that the agent, without authorisation, has received payment or has adopted alterations in the agreement, the principal shall, if he does not wish to accept the payment or the alteration, inform the third party accordingly without undue delay. If he fails to do so, he will be deemed to have accepted the payment or alteration if the third party at the time of payment or alteration of the agreement was in good faith concerning the authorisation of the commercial agent.

(3) Paragraphs (1)-(2) apply mutatis mutandis where the agreement with a third party concerns the purchase of goods for the principal.

Art. 21.

If a buyer wishes to claim a defect in purchased goods or a delay in delivery, or if the buyer wishes to complain to the principal of some other matter, he may contact the commercial agent if the commercial agent has participated at the conclusion of the agreement. The agent may not, without special authorisation, make any decision as a result of such inquiry.

(2) Paragraph 1 applies mutatis mutandis where the agreement with a third party concerns purchase of goods for the principal.

Termination of the agency agreement

Art. 22.

If the agency agreement has not been concluded for a fixed period, the principal and the agent may terminate the agreement with a notice of one month within the first year of the agency agreement. The notice period is extended by one month for each commenced year or fraction of the agency agreement. However, the notice period cannot exceed six months, unless otherwise agreed.

(2) Shorter notice periods than those stated in article 1 cannot be stipulated by a prior agreement. However, it may be agreed that the agent may terminate the contract by giving three months’ notice, even if the agency agreement has been in force for three years or more.

(3) If the parties agree to a longer notice of termination than stated in article 1, the termination notice by the principal may not be shorter than the commercial agent's notice.

(4) Unless otherwise agreed, notice of termination shall expire at the end of a calendar month.

Art. 23.

If the parties continue an agency agreement entered for a fixed period after the expiry of that period, article 22 applies mutatis mutandis . When calculating the termination notices in Art. 22(1), the fixed duration of the agency relationship will be taken into account.

Art. 24.

Each of the parties may without observing the existing notice of termination terminate the agreement if the other party to a considerable extent has ceased to fulfil his obligations under the agreement or this Act.

Compensation in case of termination

Art. 25.

Upon termination of the agency agreement , the commercial agent shall be entitled to compensation if and to the extent that

the agent has brought new customers to the principal or substantially increased trade with the existing clientele, and if the principal will continue to benefit substantially from the relationship with those customers; and
payment of compensation is reasonable in view of all circumstances, especially the agent's loss of commission on agreements with those customers.

(2) Paragraph (1) applies mutatis mutandis if the agency agreement is terminated as a result of the commercial agent's death.

Art. 26.

Compensation under Art. 25 shall not exceed an amount equalling one year's consideration based on the commercial agent's average annual consideration during the past five years. If the agency agreement has lasted for a period shorter than five years, the amount is calculated based on the average consideration in that period.

Art. 27

The commercial agent is not entitled to compensation under Art. 25 if

the principal terminates the agreement due to a material breach attributable to the agent;
the agent terminates the agreement, unless justified by

a) circumstances attributable to the principal; or

b) the agent's age, weakness or illness so that it is not reasonable to demand that the agent continues his activities; or

the agent, with the principal's consent, assigns his rights and obligations under the agency agreement to another party.

Art. 28.

The commercial agent's claim for compensation under article 25 ceases if, one year after the termination of the agency agreement, the agent has not informed the principal that such claim for compensation will be made.

Art. 29.

Art. 25-28 cannot be derogated from by prior agreement to the detriment of the commercial agent.

Competition clauses

Art. 30.

An agreement between a commercial agent and a principal stipulating that the agent's conduct of business after termination of the agency agreement shall be limited (competition clause) is binding on the agent only if and to the extent that the competition clause

has been drawn up in writing;
relates to the geographic area or the clientele assigned to the agent; and
relates to goods of the type covered by the agency agreement.

(2) The competition clause may not exceed a period of two years after termination of the agency agreement.

(3) A competition clause may be set aside under Art. 38(1) of the Contracts Act.

Part 3

Commercial travellers

Art. 31

For the purposes of this Act, a “commercial traveller” shall mean a person who, as part of a service relationship, has undertaken to canvass for customers, including promoting sale or purchase of goods which is not effected by obtaining offers (orders) to the employer or concluding agreements thereon in the name of the employer.

Art. 32.

While performing work for a commercial firm, a commercial traveller may not without consent from the commercial firm, promote the sale of other goods than those of the commercial firm or purchases for others than the commercial firm.

Commission

Art. 33.

Art. 9-10, Art. 11(1), Art. 12(1), Art. 13(1), Art. 14(1)-(3) and (5) and Art. 15(1)-(3) shall apply mutatis mutandis to commercial travellers remunerated wholly or partly with commission. However, the commission for commercial travellers will fall due on a monthly basis. In addition, Art. 14(5) shall only apply if the employment is not covered by the Salaried Employees Act.

Relations with third parties

Art. 34.

Art. 16-21 shall apply mutatis mutandis .

Part 4

Entry into force and interim provisions etc.

Art. 35

This Act comes into force the day after publication in the Danish Law Gazette.

(2) However, for agency agreements concluded before the Act comes into force, the previous rules shall apply until 1 January 1992. From 1 January 1992, this Act shall apply to such agreement, unless, before that date, the agreement has been lawfully terminated,no later than 30 June 1992. In such cases, the previous rules shall apply.

Art. 36

The Minister of Justice may lay down rules to implement the Hague Convention of 19 March 1978 as to which act shall apply to intermediaries and questions of authority.

Art. 37.

(Omitted).

Art. 38.

This Act does not extend to Greenland and the Faeroe Islands except that all or any of the provisions hereof may be brought into force by Order in Council for Greenland subject to any variations in their operation necessitated by the specific conditions prevailing in Greenland.

2 May 1990

Hans Engell

Kapitel 1 - Lovens fravigelighed

Art. 1.

Loven kan fraviges ved aftale, medmindre andet er angivet i loven. Reglerne i kapitel 3 kan desuden fraviges ved sædvane.

(2) De regler i §§ 22 og 25-27, der ikke kan fraviges til skade for handelsagenten, kan heller ikke ved en lovvalgsaftale fraviges til skade for agenten, hvis forholdet uden lovvalgsaftalen ville være underkastet denne lov.

(3). Finder dansk ret anvendelse i et tilfælde, hvor handelsagentens hverv for agenturgiveren ifølge kontraktens

bestemmelser ikke skal udføres i et land, der er medlem af EF eller EFTA, eller i et af de nordiske lande, kan parterne fravige alle bestemmelser i denne lov. §§ 22 og 25-27 kan dog ikke fraviges, hvis der i et land, hvor handelsagentens hverv skal udføres, eller hvor handelsagenten er hjemmehørende, gælder ufravigelige regler om opsigelse og godtgørelse i agenturforhold.

Kapitel 2 - Handelsagenter

Art. 2.

Ved en handelsagent forstås i denne lov den, som for en anden (agenturgiveren) mod vederlag har påtaget sig for dennes regning selvstændigt og vedvarende at virke for salg eller køb af varer ved at indhente tilbud (ordre) til agenturgiveren eller ved i dennes navn at indgå aftale herom.

Art. 3.

Agenturgiveren og handelsagenten har ret til fra den anden part at modtage et underskrevet dokument, der angiver agenturaftalens vilkår herunder eventuelle senere aftalte vilkår.

(2). Stk. (1) kan ikke fraviges ved aftale.

Art. 4.

Handelsagenten skal ved udførelsen af sit hverv varetage agenturgiverens interesser og handle loyalt og redeligt.

(2) Handelsagenten skal især

foretage rimelige bestræbelser for at indhente tilbud og, ved bemyndigelse hertil, indgå aftale vedrørende de forretninger, der er omfattet af agenturforholdet,
underrette agenturgiveren om indhentet tilbud eller indgået aftale og om andre forhold, som agenten har kendskab til, og som agenturgiveren bør kende, og
følge rimelige forskrifter fra agenturgiveren.

(3) Stk. (1)-(2) kan ikke fraviges ved aftale.

Art. 5.

Agenturgiveren skal handle loyalt og redeligt over for handelsagenten.

(2) Agenturgiveren skal især

stille det nødvendige materiale vedrørende de pågældende varer til rådighed for handelsagenten,
skaffe agenten de oplysninger, der er nødvendige for hvervets gennemførelse, og
inden for en rimelig frist underrette agenten om accept af eller afslag på tilbud, som denne har indsendt, og om manglende gennemførelse af en aftale, som agenten har formidlet.

(3) Hvis agenturgiveren kan forudse, at agenturforretningerne bliver af væsentlig mindre omfang, end handelsagenten normalt kunne have forventet, skal agenturgiveren inden for en rimelig frist, underrette agenten herom.

(4) Stk. (1)-(3) kan ikke fraviges ved aftale.

Art. 6.

Forsømmer handelsagenten eller agenturgiveren sine pligter over for den anden part, har denne ret til erstatning for den herved forvoldte skade.

(2) Den, der vil kræve erstatning, skal underrette den anden part herom uden ugrundet ophold, efter at den pågældende fik eller burde have fået kendskab til forsømmelsen og skaden. I modsat fald fortabes retten til erstatning.

(3) Stk. (2) gælder ikke, hvis den anden part har handlet i strid med almindelig hæderlighed eller groft uagtsomt.

Art. 7.

Hvis handelsagenten har varer på lager til salg for agenturgiveren eller indkøbt for denne, har agenten de samme pligter og rettigheder med hensyn til varerne, som handelskommissionæren har efter kommissionslovens kapitel II.

Provision

Art. 8.

Er vederlagets størrelse ikke aftalt, har handelsagenten ret til vederlag i overensstemmelse med, hvad der på det sted, hvor agenten udøver sin virksomhed, er sædvanligt for agenter for varer af den pågældende art. I mangel af sådan sædvane har agenten ret til et vederlag, der er rimeligt under hensyn til samtlige omstændigheder, der vedrører forretningen.

Art. 9.

Handelsagenten har ret til provision af en aftale, som indgås, mens agenturforholdet består, hvis:

aftalen er kommet i stand ved agentens medvirken,
aftalen uden agentens medvirken er indgået med en tredjemand, som agenten tidligere har skaffet som kunde for så vidt angår lignende aftaler, eller
agenten har fået overdraget et bestemt geografisk område eller en bestemt kundekreds og aftalen uden agentens medvirken er indgået med en tredjemand, der hører til området eller kundekredsen.

Art. 10.

Indgås aftalen under omstændigheder som nævnt i Art. 9, nr. 1-3, efter agenturforholdets ophør, har handelsagenten ret til provision, hvis tredjemands tilbud er kommet frem til agenten eller agenturgiveren inden agenturforholdets ophør.

(2) Handelsagenten har endvidere ret til provision, hvis aftalen hovedsagelig er bragt i stand ved dennes virksomhed under agenturforholdets beståen og den er indgået inden for rimelig tid efter forholdets ophør.

(3) En tiltrædende handelsagent har ikke ret til provision efter Art. 9 af en aftale, for hvilken den foregående agent har ret til provision efter stk. (1)-(2), medmindre det på grund af omstændighederne er rimeligt at dele provisionen mellem agenterne.

Art. 11.

Retten til provision forfalder, så snart og i det omfang en af følgende omstændigheder foreligger:

Agenturgiveren har eller skulle ifølge aftalen med tredjemand have leveret varen eller betalt købesummen.
Tredjemand har betalt købesummen eller leveret varen eller skulle have foretaget sådan opfyldelse ifølge aftalen med agenturgiveren, hvis denne havde opfyldt sin del af aftalen.

(2) En aftale, hvorefter provisionen forfalder på et senere tidspunkt, end hvad der følger af stk. 1, nr. 2, er ugyldig.

Art. 12.

Provisionen skal betales senest den sidste dag i måneden efter det kvartal, i hvilket retten til provision forfaldt, jf. Art. 11.

(2) Stk. 1 kan ikke ved forudgående aftale fraviges til skade for handelsagenten.

Art. 13.

Agenturgiveren skal senest den sidste dag i måneden efter det kvartal, i hvilket retten til provision forfaldt, sende handelsagenten en nota vedrørende den provision, der forfaldt i kvartalet, jf. Art. 11. Denne nota skal indeholde alle væsentlige oplysninger, der har tjent som grundlag for beregning af provisionsbeløbene.

(2) Stk. 1 kan ikke ved forudgående aftale fraviges til skade for handelsagenten.

Art. 14.

The commercial agent will only forfeit his right to commission if it is shown that the agreement between the principal and a third party is not performed, and this is not attributable to circumstances for which the principal may be held responsible.

(2) If a third party's failure to perform the agreement is due to the principal - without consent from the commercial agent - having granted the third party a respite for performance of the agreement or having agreed with him on the termination of the agreement, the agent's right to commission will not be affected.

(3) If a third party's obligations are only partially fulfilled, the commercial agent is only entitled to commission on the part fulfilled, unless otherwise provided by paragraphs (1)-(2).

(4) Paragraphs (1)-(3) cannot be derogated from by prior agreement to the detriment of the commercial agent.

(5) If the claim for commission under paragraph (1) ceases to exist,, the commercial agent shall pay back any commission received.

Art. 15.

Handelsagenten kan fra agenturgiveren kræve alle oplysninger, herunder uddrag af forretningsbøger, som agenturgiveren har rådighed over, og som er nødvendige for, at agenten kan efterprøve, om provisionsnotaen angiver de provisionsbeløb, der tilkommer agenten.

(2) Afslår agenturgiveren at give de oplysninger, der er nævnt i stk. (1), eller er der begrundet tvivl om rigtigheden af disse eller af provisionsnotaen, kan handelsagenten kræve, at agenturgiveren efter dennes valg giver agenten eller en af agenten udpeget statsautoriseret eller registreret revisor adgang til at undersøge uddrag af agenturgiverens forretningsbøger.

(3) Oplysningspligten efter stk. (1)-(2) gælder ikke, hvis der herved vil fremkomme oplysninger om forhold, som agenturgiveren ville være fritaget for at afgive forklaring om som vidne, jf. retsplejelovens § 171.

(4) Stk. (1)-(2) kan ikke ved aftale fraviges til skade for handelsagenten.

Forholdet til tredjemand

Art. 16.

Handelsagenten kan ikke uden agenturgiverens bemyndigelse indgå aftale, der binder agenturgiveren.

(2) Har handelsagenten uden bemyndigelse indgået en aftale, som agenturgiveren ikke vil godkende, skal agenturgiveren meddele dette til tredjemand uden ugrundet ophold efter at have modtaget underretning om aftalen. Undlader agenturgiveren dette, er han bundet af aftalen, hvis tredjemand ved aftalens indgåelse var i god tro med hensyn til handelsagentens bemyndigelse.

Art. 17.

Vil agenturgiveren ikke acceptere et tilbud, som handelsagenten har modtaget, skal agenturgiveren give meddelelse herom til tredjemand uden ugrundet ophold efter at have modtaget tilbuddet eller underretning om dette. Undlader agenturgiveren dette, anses tilbuddet for accepteret.

(2) Stk. (1) gælder ikke, hvis handelsagenten og tredjemand har aftalt, at tilbuddet udtrykkeligt skal accepteres af agenturgiveren.

Art. 18.

Har tredjemand afgivet tilbud til handelsagenten, og har denne sendt tilbuddet til agenturgiveren, kan tilbudsgiveren tilbagekalde tilbuddet forinden eller samtidig med, at dette kommer til agenturgiverens kundskab.

(2) Stk. (1) gælder ikke, hvis andet er aftalt mellem handelsagenten og tredjemand.

Art. 19.

Får en tredjemand, der står i forretningsforbindelse med agenturgiveren, efter forhandlinger med handelsagenten underretning fra agenturgiveren om, at denne godkender en aftale eller accepterer et tilbud, agenten har indsendt, skal tredjemand uden ugrundet ophold give agenturgiveren meddelelse, hvis tredjemand vil gøre gældende, at der ikke er indgået en aftale eller afgivet et tilbud, eller at aftalen eller tilbuddet er urigtigt gengivet. Undlader tredjemand at give meddelelse, anses aftale for indgået med det indhold, som angives i underretningen fra agenturgiveren, medmindre det modsatte bevises.

Art. 20.

Handelsagenten kan ikke uden særskilt bemyndigelse hertil modtage betaling for solgte varer eller give henstand med betalingen eller afslag i prisen eller foretage anden ændring i aftalen.

(2) Har agenturgiveren fået kundskab om, at handelsagenten uden bemyndigelse har modtaget betaling eller foretaget ændring i aftalen, skal agenturgiveren, hvis denne ikke vil godkende betalingen eller ændringen, uden ugrundet ophold give køberen meddelelse herom. Undlader agenturgiveren dette, anses betalingen eller ændringen for godkendt, hvis tredjemand på tidspunktet for betalingen eller for ændringen af aftalen var i god tro med hensyn til handelsagentens bemyndigelse.

(3) Stk. (1)-(2) anvendes tilsvarende, når aftalen med tredjemand vedrører indkøb af varer for agenturgiveren.

Art. 21.

Vil køberen gøre gældende, at der er mangler ved varen, eller at den er leveret for sent, eller vil køberen i øvrigt reklamere til agenturgiveren, kan henvendelse herom rettes til handelsagenten, hvis handelsagenten har medvirket ved aftalens indgåelse. Agenten kan ikke uden særskilt bemyndigelse hertil træffe afgørelse i anledning af en sådan henvendelse.

(2) Stk. 1 finder tilsvarende anvendelse, når aftalen med tredjemand vedrører indkøb af varer for agenturgiveren.

Agenturaftalens ophør

Art. 22.

Er agenturaftalen ikke indgået for en bestemt periode, kan agenturgiveren og handelsagenten i det første år af aftaleperioden opsige aftalen med et varsel på 1 måned. Varslet forlænges med 1 måned for hvert påbegyndt år, agenturaftalen har bestået. Varslet kan dog ikke overstige 6 måneder, medmindre andet er aftalt.

(2) Der kan ikke ved forudgående aftale fastsættes kortere varsler end dem, der er nævnt i stk. 1. Dog kan det aftales, at handelsagenten kan opsige aftalen med 3 måneders varsel, selv om aftalen har bestået i 3 år eller mere.

(3) Aftaler parterne længere opsigelsesvarsler end de i stk. 1 nævnte, må varslet ikke være kortere ved opsigelse fra agenturgivers side end ved opsigelse fra handelsagentens side.

(4) Er andet ikke aftalt, sker opsigelse til udgangen af en kalendermåned.

Art. 23.

Videreføres en aftale, der er indgået for en bestemt periode, efter denne periodes udløb, finder § 22 tilsvarende anvendelse. Ved beregningen af de i Art. 22, stk. (1), omhandlede opsigelsesvarsler medregnes den tidsbestemte aftaleperiode.

Art. 24.

Hver af parterne kan uden at overholde gældende opsigelsesvarsel hæve aftalen, hvis den anden part i væsentlig grad har undladt at opfylde sine forpligtelser efter aftalen eller loven.

Godtgørelse ved ophør

Art. 25.

Ved agenturaftalens ophør har handelsagenten krav på en godtgørelse, hvis og i det omfang

1) agenten har skaffet agenturgiveren nye kunder eller en betydelig udvidelse af handelen med den bestående kundekreds og forbindelsen med disse kunder fortsat vil give agenturgiveren betydelige fordele, og

2) betaling af godtgørelse er rimelig under hensyn til samtlige omstændigheder, herunder navnlig agentens tab af provision af aftale med disse kunder.

(2) Stk. (1) anvendes tilsvarende, hvis agenturaftalen ophører på grund af handelsagentens død.

Art. 26.

Godtgørelse efter Art. 25 kan ikke overstige et beløb, der svarer til 1 års vederlag beregnet på grundlag af handelsagentens gennemsnitlige årlige vederlag i de seneste 5 år. Har agenturaftalen varet mindre end 5 år, beregnes beløbet på grundlag af det gennemsnitlige vederlag i perioden.

Art. 27

Handelsagenten har ikke krav på godtgørelse efter Art. 25, hvis:

agenturgiveren bringer aftalen til ophør på grund af væsentlig misligholdelse, der kan tilregnes agenten,
agenten bringer aftalen til ophør, medmindre dette er berettiget som følge af

a) omstændigheder, der skyldes agenturgiveren, eller

b) agentens alder, svagelighed eller sygdom, således at det ikke med rimelighed kan kræves, at agenten fortsætter sin virksomhed, eller

agenten efter aftale med agenturgiveren overdrager sine rettigheder og pligter ifølge agenturaftalen til en anden.

Art. 28.

Handelsagentens krav på godtgørelse efter § 25 bortfalder, hvis agenten ikke senest 1 år efter agenturaftalens ophør har meddelt agenturgiveren, at krav på godtgørelse vil blive fremsat.

Art. 29.

Art. 25-28 kan ikke ved forudgående aftale fraviges til skade for handelsagenten.

Konkurrenceklausuler

Art. 30.

En aftale mellem en handelsagent og en agenturgiver, hvorefter agentens udøvelse af erhvervsvirksomhed efter agenturaftalens ophør begrænses (konkurrenceklausul), er kun bindende for agenten, hvis og i det omfang den

er indgået skriftligt,
vedrører det geografiske område eller den kundekreds og det geografiske område, som agenten har fået overdraget, og
vedrører de varetyper, som er omfattet af agenturaftalen.

(2) Konkurrenceklausulen kan højst gælde 2 år fra agenturaftalens ophør.

(3) En konkurrenceklausul kan tilsidesættes efter aftalelovens Art. 38, stk. (1)

Kapitel 3

Handelsrejsende

Art. 31

Ved en handelsrejsende forstås i denne lov den, der som led i et tjenesteforhold har påtaget sig at opsøge kunder og herunder virke for salg eller køb af varer, som ikke medføres, ved at indhente tilbud (ordre) til arbejdsgiveren eller i dennes navn indgå aftale herom.

Art. 32.

En handelsrejsende må under udførelse af arbejde for handelshuset ikke uden handelshusets samtykke arbejde for salg af andre varer end dettes eller for køb til andre end dette.

Provision

Art. 33.

Art. 9-10, Art. 11, stk. (1), Art. 12, stk. (1), Art. 13, stk. (1), Art. 14, stk. (1)-(3) og (5), og Art. 15, stk. (1)-(3), anvendes tilsvarende på handelsrejsende, der aflønnes helt eller delvis med provision, idet provisionen for handelsrejsende dog forfalder månedsvis. Endvidere anvendes Art. 14, stk. (5), kun, hvis ansættelsesforholdet ikke er omfattet af funktionærloven.

Forholdet til tredjemand

Art. 34.

Art. 16-21 anvendes tilsvarende.

Kapitel 4

Ikrafttrædelses- og overgangsbestemmelser mv.

Art. 35

Loven træder i kraft dagen efter bekendtgørelsen i Lovtidende.

(2) For agenturaftaler, der er indgået inden lovens ikrafttræden, gælder dog indtil 1. januar 1992 de hidtil gældende regler. Fra 1. januar 1992 anvendes denne lov for en sådan aftale, medmindre aftalen før denne dato lovligt er opsagt til ophør senest den 30. juni 1992. I sådanne tilfælde anvendes de hidtil gældende regler.

Art. 36

Justitsministeren kan fastsætte regler til gennemførelse af Haagerkonventionen af 19. marts 1978 om, hvilken lov der skal anvendes på mellemmænd og på fuldmagtsspørgsmål.

Art. 37.

(Udeladt).

Art. 38.

Loven gælder ikke for Færøerne og Grønland. Loven kan ved kgl anordning sættes i kraft for Grønland med de afvigelser, som de særlige grønlandske forhold tilsiger.

Den 2. maj 1990

Hans Engell

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< Law & Q&A

Law & Q&A

Trade Agent Act

Part 1 - Derogation from the Act

Art. 1.

Part 2 - Commercial agents

Art. 2.

Art. 3.

Art. 4.

Art. 5.

Art. 6.

Art. 7.

Commission

Art. 8.

Art. 9.

Art. 10.

Art. 11.

Art. 12.

Art. 13

Art. 14.

Art. 15.

Relations with third parties

Art. 16.

Art. 17.

Art. 18.

Art. 19.

Art. 20.

Art. 21.

Termination of the agency agreement

Art. 22.

Art. 23.

Art. 24.

Compensation in case of termination

Art. 25.

Art. 26.

Art. 27

Art. 28.

Art. 29.

Competition clauses

Art. 30.

Part 3

Commercial travellers

Art. 31

Art. 32.

Commission

Art. 33.

Relations with third parties

Art. 34.

Part 4

Entry into force and interim provisions etc.

Art. 35

Art. 36

Art. 37.

Art. 38.

Kapitel 1 - Lovens fravigelighed

Art. 1.

Kapitel 2 - Handelsagenter

Art. 2.

Art. 3.

Art. 4.

Art. 5.

Art. 6.

Art. 7.

Provision

Art. 8.

Art. 9.

Art. 10.

Art. 11.

Art. 12.

Art. 13.

Art. 14.

Art. 15.

Forholdet til tredjemand

Art. 16.

Art. 17.

Art. 18.

Art. 19.

Art. 20.

Art. 21.

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Law & Q&A