§ 437.1 Definitions. The following definitions shall apply throughout this part: ( a ) *Action* means a criminal information, indictment, or proceeding; a civil complaint, cross claim, counterclaim, or third party complaint in a judicial action or proceeding; arbitration; or any governmental administrative proceeding, including, but not limited to, an action to obtain or issue a cease and desist order, an assurance of voluntary compliance, and an assurance of discontinuance.
( b ) *Affiliate* means an entity controlled by, controlling, or under common control with a business opportunity seller.
( c ) *Business opportunity* means a commercial arrangement in which: ( 1 ) A seller solicits a prospective purchaser to enter into a new business; and
( 2 ) The prospective purchaser makes a required payment; and
( 3 ) The seller, expressly or by implication, orally or in writing, represents that the seller or one or more designated persons will: ( i ) Provide locations for the use or operation of equipment, displays, vending machines, or similar devices, owned, leased, controlled, or paid for by the purchaser; or
( ii ) Provide outlets, accounts, or customers, including, but not limited to, Internet outlets, accounts, or customers, for the purchaser's goods or services; or
( iii ) Buy back any or all of the goods or services that the purchaser makes, produces, fabricates, grows, breeds, modifies, or provides, including but not limited to providing payment for such services as, for example, stuffing envelopes from the purchaser's home.
( d ) *Designated person* means any person, other than the seller, whose goods or services the seller suggests, recommends, or requires that the purchaser use in establishing or operating a new business.
( e ) Disclose or state means to give information in writing that is clear and conspicuous, accurate, concise, and legible.
( f ) *Earnings claim* means any oral, written, or visual representation to a prospective purchaser that conveys, expressly or by implication, a specific level or range of actual or potential sales, or gross or net income or profits. Earnings claims include, but are not limited to: ( 1 ) Any chart, table, or mathematical calculation that demonstrates possible results based upon a combination of variables; and
( 2 ) Any statements from which a prospective purchaser can reasonably infer that he or she will earn a minimum level of income (e.g., “earn enough to buy a Porsche,” “earn a six-figure income,” or “earn your investment back within one year”).
( g ) *Exclusive territory* means a specified geographic or other actual or implied marketing area in which the seller promises not to locate additional purchasers or offer the same or similar goods or services as the purchaser through alternative channels of distribution.
( h ) *General media* means any instrumentality through which a person may communicate with the public, including, but not limited to, television, radio, print, Internet, billboard, Web site, commercial bulk email, and mobile communications.
( i ) *Material* means likely to affect a person's choice of, or conduct regarding, goods or services.
( j ) *New business* means a business in which the prospective purchaser is not currently engaged, or a new line or type of business.
( k ) *Person* means an individual, group, association, limited or general partnership, corporation, or any other business entity.
( l ) *Prior business* means: ( 1 ) A business from which the seller acquired, directly or indirectly, the major portion of the business' assets; or
( 2 ) Any business previously owned or operated by the seller, in whole or in part.
( m ) *Providing locations, outlets, accounts, or customers* means furnishing the prospective purchaser with existing or potential locations, outlets, accounts, or customers; requiring, recommending, or suggesting one or more locators or lead generating companies; providing a list of locator or lead generating companies; collecting a fee on behalf of one or more locators or lead generating companies; offering to furnish a list of locations; or otherwise assisting the prospective purchaser in obtaining his or her own locations, outlets, accounts, or customers, *provided, however,* that advertising and general advice about business development and training shall not be considered as “providing locations, outlets, accounts, or customers.”
( n ) *Purchaser* means a person who buys a business opportunity.
( o ) *Quarterly* means as of January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1.
( p ) *Required payment* means all consideration that the purchaser must pay to the seller or an affiliate, either by contract or by practical necessity, as a condition of obtaining or commencing operation of the business opportunity. Such payment may be made directly or indirectly through a third party. A required payment does not include payments for the purchase of reasonable amounts of inventory at bona fide wholesale prices for resale or lease.
( q ) *Seller* means a person who offers for sale or sells a business opportunity.
( r ) Signature or signed means a person's affirmative steps to authenticate his or her identity. It includes a person's handwritten signature, as well as an electronic or digital form of signature to the extent that such signature is recognized as a valid signature under applicable federal law or state contract law.
( s ) Written or in writing means any document or information in printed form or in any form capable of being downloaded, printed, or otherwise preserved in tangible form and read. It includes: type-set, word processed, or handwritten documents; information on computer disk or CD-ROM; information sent via email; or information posted on the Internet. It does not include mere oral statements.