Delaware Administrative Code
Title 4 - Alcoholic Beverage Control
Department of Safety and Homeland Security
Office of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commissioner
900 - Trade Practices for Suppliers, Wholesales, and Retailers
901 - (Formerly Rule 46) A Governing the Contractual Relationships Between Suppliers and Wholesalers for the Distribution of Alcoholic Beverages
Section 901-6.0 - Reasonable Compensation

6.1.1 A supplier may terminate or transfer distribution rights from an existing wholesaler without good cause upon the payment to the existing wholesaler of reasonable compensation for the value of the wholesaler's business related to the terminated or transferred brand or brands. For purposes of determining reasonable compensation under this Rule, the value of the wholesaler's business shall be deemed to be the inventory at laid-in cost of the terminated or transferred brand or brands and its associated good will. "Associated good will" is defined as 1.0 times the wholesaler's average annual gross profits on the terminated or transferred brand or brands for the last three fiscal years or such lesser period during which the brand or brands have been distributed by the terminated wholesaler. For purposes of this Rule "gross profits" shall mean selling price less F.O.B., taxes and freight.

6.1.2 If the contract between a supplier and the existing wholesaler from which the supplier seeks to withdraw the distribution rights provides for an amount of compensation greater than that provided for by this Rule, the supplier shall be required to compensate the existing wholesaler in that greater amount prior to terminating or transferring such rights.

6.2.1 In the event that a supplier and its existing wholesaler are unable to agree on the amount of reasonable compensation to be paid by the supplier in accordance with subsection 6.1 within twenty days after the wholesaler receives a copy of the supplier's request to terminate or transfer distribution rights, as required by subsection 5.4, the dispute shall be submitted to a neutral arbitrator selected by the parties. If they cannot agree on an arbitrator within an additional twenty days, upon the request of either party, the arbitrator shall be appointed by the Commissioner.

6.2.2 By becoming a party to any distribution contract governed by this Rule, such party agrees in advance to proceed to arbitration in accordance with the provisions of this Rule and to recognize the arbitrator as a subordinate designated by the Commissioner to conduct a hearing on the issue of reasonable compensation in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Administrative Procedures Act, 29 Del.C. Ch. 101.

6.2.3 The written decision of the arbitrator shall be submitted to the Commissioner which shall issue a final order in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Administrative Procedures Act.

6.2.4 The costs of arbitration shall be borne equally by the parties.

6.3.1 Any termination or transfer of distribution rights for which compensation is required under this Rule shall not be effective and shall not be permitted until the supplier has paid the required compensation to the wholesaler which is having its rights terminated or transferred, unless the supplier posts a bond in the amount of the required compensation, as determined by the final order of the Commissioner.

6.3.2 A supplier may post a bond in the amount of the required compensation during the pendency of an appeal taken by any party affected by the compensation decision. Upon posting of the bond, the termination or transfer of distribution rights may take place.