1. Requirement. It is unlawful to offer or sell a business opportunity in this state unless the business opportunity is registered under this chapter or is exempt under section 523B.3.
2. Disclosure.
a. To register a business opportunity, the seller shall file with the administrator one of the disclosure documents as provided in paragraph "b" with the appropriate cover sheet as required by subsection 8, paragraph "b", a consent to service of process as specified in subsection 3, and the appropriate fee as required by subsection 7.
b. The disclosure document required in paragraph "a" shall be in one of the following forms:
(1) A uniform franchise offering circular prepared in accordance with the guidelines adopted by the North American securities administrators association, inc., as amended through September 21, 1983. The administrator may by rule adopt any amendment to the uniform franchise offering circular that has been adopted by the North American securities administrators association, inc.
(2) A disclosure document prepared pursuant to the federal trade commission rule entitled "Disclosure requirements and prohibitions concerning franchising and business opportunity ventures", 16 C.F.R. § 436 (1979). The administrator may by rule adopt any amendment to the disclosure document prepared pursuant to 16 C.F.R. § 436 (1979) that has been adopted by the federal trade commission.
(3) A disclosure document prepared pursuant to subsection 8.
3. Consent to service. A seller shall file, on a form as the administrator may prescribe, an irrevocable consent appointing the administrator or the administrator's successor in office to be the seller's attorney to receive service of any lawful process in a noncriminal suit, action, or proceeding against the seller or the seller's successor, executor, or administrator which arises under this chapter after the consent has been filed, with the same force and validity as if served personally on the person filing the consent. Service may be made by leaving a copy of the process in the office of the administrator, but is not effective unless the plaintiff or petitioner, who may be the administrator or the attorney general, in a suit, action, or proceeding, forthwith sends notice of the service and a copy of the process by registered or certified mail to the defendant's or respondent's address on file with the administrator, and the plaintiff's affidavit of compliance with this subsection is filed in the case on or before the return date of the process, if any, or within such further time as the court allows.
4. Effective date. A registration automatically becomes effective upon the expiration of the fifteenth full business day after the complete filing is received by the administrator, provided that no order has been issued or proceeding is pending under subsection 10. The administrator may by order waive or reduce the time period prior to effectiveness, provided that a complete filing has been made. The administrator may by order defer the effective date until the expiration of the fifteenth full business day after the filing of an amendment with the administrator.
5. Period. The registration is effective for one year commencing on the date the registration becomes effective and may be renewed annually upon the filing of a current disclosure document accompanied by any documents or information that the administrator may by rule or order require. Failure to renew upon the close of the one-year period of effectiveness will result in expiration of the registration. The administrator may by rule or order require the filing of a sales report.
6. Filing rule. The administrator may by rule require the filing of all proposed literature or advertising prior to its use.
7. Filing fee. The seller shall pay a five hundred dollar filing fee with the initial disclosure statement filed under subsection 2 and a two hundred fifty dollar annual renewal fee. The administrator shall by rule periodically revise these fees to ensure that they defray the costs of administration of this chapter.
8. Disclosure requirements.
a. It is unlawful to offer or sell a business opportunity required to be registered pursuant to this chapter unless a written disclosure document as filed under subsection 2 is delivered to each purchaser at least ten business days prior to the earlier of the execution by a purchaser of a contract or agreement imposing a binding legal obligation on the purchaser or the payment by a purchaser of any consideration in connection with the offer or sale of the business opportunity.
b. The disclosure document shall have a cover sheet which is entitled, in at least ten point bold type, "DISCLOSURE REQUIRED BY IOWA LAW." Under the title shall appear the following statement in at least ten point type: "The registration of this business opportunity does not constitute approval, recommendation, or endorsement by the state of Iowa. The information contained in this disclosure document has not been verified by this state. If you have any questions or concerns about this investment, seek professional advice before you sign a contract or make any payment. You are to be provided ten (10) business days to review this document before signing a contract or agreement or making any payment to the seller or the seller's representative."
The seller's name and principal business address, along with the date of the disclosure document, shall also be provided on the cover sheet. No other information shall appear on the cover sheet.
c. Unless the seller uses a disclosure document as provided in subsection 2, paragraphs "a" and "b", the disclosure document shall contain the following information:
(1) The names and residential addresses of those salespersons who will engage in the offer or sale of the business opportunity in this state.
(2) The name of the seller; whether the seller is doing business as an individual, partnership, corporation, or other entity; the names under which the seller has done, is doing, or intends to do business; and the name of any parent or affiliated company that will engage in business transactions with purchasers or that will take responsibility for statements made by the seller.
(3) The names, addresses, and titles of the seller's officers, directors, trustees, general managers, principal executives, agents, and any other persons charged with responsibility for the seller's business activities relating to the sale of the business opportunity.
(4) Prior business experience of the seller relating to business opportunities including all of the following:
(a) The name, address, and a description of any business opportunity previously offered by the seller.
(b) The length of time the seller has offered each such business opportunity.
(c) The length of time the seller has conducted the business opportunity currently being offered to the purchaser.
(5) With respect to each person identified in subparagraph (3), all of the following:
(a) A description of the person's business experience for the ten-year period preceding the filing date of this disclosure document. The description of business experience shall list principal occupations and employers.
(b) A listing of the person's educational and professional background, including the names of schools attended and degrees received, and any other information that will demonstrate sufficient knowledge and experience to perform the services proposed.
(6) Whether any of the following apply to the seller or any person identified in subparagraph (3):
(a) The seller or other person has been convicted of a felony, pleaded nolo contendere to a felony charge, or has been the subject of a criminal, civil, or administrative proceeding alleging the violation of a business opportunity law, securities law, commodities law, or franchise law, or alleging fraud or deceit, embezzlement, fraudulent conversion, restraint of trade, an unfair or deceptive practice, misappropriation of property, or making comparable allegations.
(b) The seller or other person has filed for bankruptcy, been adjudged bankrupt, or been reorganized due to insolvency, or was an owner, principal officer, or general partner of a person, or any other person that has filed for bankruptcy or was adjudged bankrupt, or been reorganized due to insolvency during the last seven years.
(7) The name of any person identified in subparagraph (6), the nature of and the parties to the action or proceeding, the court or other forum, the date of the institution of the action, the docket references to the action, the current status of the action or proceeding, the terms and conditions of any order or decree, and the penalties or damages assessed and terms of settlement.
(8) The initial payment required, or if the exact amount cannot be determined, a detailed estimate of the amount of the initial payment to be made to the seller.
(9) A detailed description of the actual services the seller agrees to perform for the purchaser.
(10) A detailed description of any training the seller agrees to provide for the purchaser.
(11) A detailed description of services the seller agrees to perform in connection with the placement of equipment, products, or supplies at a location, as well as any agreement necessary in order to locate or operate equipment, products, or supplies on premises which are not owned or leased by the purchaser or seller.
(12) A detailed description of any license or permit that will be necessary in order for the purchaser to engage in or operate the business opportunity.
(13) The business opportunity seller that secures a bond pursuant to subsection 10 shall include in the disclosure document the following statement: "As required by the state of Iowa, the seller has secured a bond issued by [insert name and address of surety company], a surety company, authorized to do business in this state. Before signing a contract or agreement to purchase this business opportunity, you should check with the surety company to determine the bond's current status."
(14) Any representations made by the seller to the purchaser concerning sales or earnings that may be made from this business opportunity, including, but not limited to the following:
(a) The bases or assumptions for any actual, average, projected, or forecasted sales, profits, income, or earnings.
(b) The total number of purchasers who, within a period of three years of the date of the disclosure document, purchased a business opportunity involving the product, equipment, supplies, or services being offered to the purchaser.
(c) The total number of purchasers who, within three years of the date of the disclosure document, purchased a business opportunity involving the product, equipment, supplies, or services being offered to the purchaser who, to the seller's knowledge, have actually received earnings in the amount or range specified.
(15) A detailed description of the elements of a guarantee made by a seller to a purchaser. The description shall include, but is not limited to, the duration, terms, scope, conditions, and limitations of the guarantee.
(16) A statement including all of the following:
(a) The total number of business opportunities that are the same or similar in nature to those being sold or organized by the seller.
(b) The names and addresses of purchasers who have requested a refund or rescission from the seller within the last twelve months and the number of those who have received the refund or rescission.
(c) The total number of business opportunities the seller intends to sell in this state within the next twelve months.
(d) The total number of purchasers known to the seller to have failed in the business opportunity.
(17) A statement describing any contractual restrictions, prohibitions, or limitations on the purchaser's conduct. Attach a copy of all business opportunities and other contracts or agreements proposed for use or in use in this state including, without limitation, all lease agreements, option agreements, and purchase agreements.
(18) The rights and obligations of the seller and the purchaser regarding termination of the business opportunity contract or agreement.
(19) A statement accurately describing the grounds upon which the purchaser may initiate legal action to terminate the business opportunity contract or agreement.
(20) A copy of the most recent audited financial statement of the seller, prepared within thirteen months of the first offer in this state, together with a statement of any material changes in the financial condition of the seller from that date. The administrator may allow the seller to submit a limited review in order to satisfy the requirements of subparagraph (13).
(21) A list of the states in which this business opportunity is registered.
(22) A list of the states in which this disclosure document is on file.
(23) A list of the states which have denied, suspended, or revoked the registration of this business opportunity.
(24) A section entitled "Risk Factors" containing a series of short concise statements summarizing the principal factors which make this business opportunity a high risk or one of a speculative nature. Each statement shall include a cross-reference to the page on which further information regarding that risk factor can be found in the disclosure document.
(25) Any additional information as the administrator may require by rule or order.
9. Contract or agreement provisions.
a. It is unlawful to offer or sell a business opportunity required to be registered unless the business opportunity contract or agreement is in writing and a copy of the contract or agreement is given to the purchaser at the time the purchaser signs the contract or agreement.
b. The contract or agreement is subject to this chapter and section 714.16.
c. Contracts or agreements shall set forth in at least ten point type or equivalent size, if handwritten, all of the following:
(1) The terms and conditions of any and all payments due to the seller.
(2) The seller's principal business address and the name and address of the seller's agent in this state authorized to receive service of process.
(3) The business form of the seller, whether corporate, partnership, or otherwise.
(4) The delivery date, or when the contract provides for a periodic delivery of items to the purchaser, the approximate delivery date of the product, equipment, or supplies the seller is to deliver to the purchaser to enable the purchaser to start business.
(5) Whether the product, equipment, or supplies are to be delivered to the purchaser's home or business address or are to be placed or caused to be placed by the seller at locations owned or managed by persons other than the purchaser.
(6) A statement that accurately states the purchaser's right to void the contract under the circumstances and in the manner set forth in section 523B.6.
(7) The cancellation statement appearing in section 555A.3.
10. Denial, suspension, or revocation of registration.
a. The administrator may issue an order denying effectiveness to, or suspending or revoking the effectiveness of, any registration if the administrator finds that the order is in the public interest and any of the following:
(1) The registration as of its effective date or as of any earlier date in the case of an order denying effectiveness, any amendment as of its effective date, or any report is incomplete in any material respect or contains any statement which is, in the light of the circumstances under which it was made, determined by the administrator to be false or misleading with respect to any material fact.
(2) Any provision of this chapter or any rule, order, or condition lawfully imposed under this chapter has been willfully violated, in connection with the business opportunity, by either of the following:
(a) The person filing the registration.
(b) The seller, any partner, officer, or director of the seller, any person occupying a similar status or performing similar functions, or any person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by the seller, but only if the person filing the registration is directly or indirectly controlled by or acting for the seller.
(3) The business opportunity registered or sought to be registered is the subject of an administrative order denying, suspending, or revoking a registration or a permanent or temporary injunction of any court of competent jurisdiction. However, the administrator shall not do either of the following:
(a) Institute a proceeding against an effective registration under this paragraph more than one year from the date of the order or injunction relied on.
(b) Enter an order under this paragraph on the basis of an order or injunction entered under any other state act unless that order or injunction was based on facts which would currently constitute a ground for an order under this section.
(4) The seller's enterprise or method of business, or that of the business opportunity, includes or would include activities which are or would be illegal where performed.
(5) The business opportunity or the offering of a business opportunity has worked or tended to work a fraud upon purchasers or would operate to work such a fraud.
(6) There has been a failure to file any documents or information required under subsection 2.
(7) The seller has failed to pay the proper filing fee. However, the administrator shall vacate any order issued pursuant to this subparagraph when the deficiency has been corrected.
(8) The seller's literature or advertising is misleading, incorrect, incomplete, or deceptive.
(9) The seller does not have a minimum net worth of fifty thousand dollars, as determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A seller may submit a surety bond in lieu of the net worth requirement. The administrator may by rule or order increase the amount of the net worth or bond for the protection of purchasers and may require the seller to file reports of all sales in this state to determine the appropriate amount of the net worth requirement. The surety bond shall be for the period of the registration, issued by a surety company authorized to do business in this state and for the benefit of any purchaser.
b. The administrator shall not institute a proceeding under this subsection against an effective registration on the basis of a fact or transaction known to the administrator when the registration became effective unless the proceeding is instituted thirty days after the effective date of the registration.
c. (1) The administrator may by order summarily postpone or suspend the effectiveness of the registration pending final determination of a proceeding under this subsection.
(2) Upon the entry of a summary order, the administrator shall promptly notify the seller that the order has been entered and of the reasons for entering the order and that within fifteen days after the receipt of a written request the matter will be set down for hearing.
(3) If no hearing is requested the order will remain in effect until it is modified or vacated by the administrator. If a hearing is requested or ordered, the administrator may modify or vacate the order or extend the order until final determination.
d. A summary order shall not be entered under any part of this subsection, except under subparagraph (1) of paragraph "c", without appropriate notice to the seller, an opportunity for hearing, and written findings of fact and conclusions of law in accordance with chapter 17A.
e. The administrator may vacate or modify an order issued under this subsection if the administrator finds that the conditions which prompted its entry have changed or that it is otherwise in the public interest to do so.
[81 Acts, ch 171, § 2]
91 Acts, ch 205, §2; 98 Acts, ch 1189, § 12-14; 99 Acts, ch 166, §11
Referred to in § 523B.3, 523B.7, 523B.11
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