Franchising at the international level is a highly practical entry point to international and global commerce. Franchising is a business model that is now widely used in both developed and developing countries. Because of its economic significance and the particular legal challenges it presents a specific body of law has developed around franchising. Many local and global franchisors now have their own in house legal and accounting teams.

International Franchise Law builds on the concepts studied in Franchise Law (LEGT 2732). The laws of 'business format franchising' are consolidated in this course, and are expanded on in their international context. A wide range of legal issues relevant to international franchising are studied, including a franchisor's motivations for going offshore, due diligence, appropriate legal structures, working with local generic (intellectual property, tax, information privacy and competition) and specific franchise disclosure, relationship and dispute resolution laws. The approach of a range of jurisdictions to the same challenges is addressed.