Franchising & Distribution Law Blog

A recent decision in California highlights that retailers’ practice of collecting zip codes continues to be challenged. California’s Second District Court of Appeals affirmed summary judgment in a case brought as a class action against Chevron and other motor fuel retailers alleging violation of California’s Song-Beverly Credit Card Act for the collection of customers’ zip codes in conjunction with credit card transactions at gasoline stations.

Last month, the Fourth Circuit affirmed a ruling that North Carolina’s Ethanol Blending Statute is not preempted by the Petroleum Marketing Practices Act (“PMPA”) or federal renewable fuel program. The case was remanded for findings on whether the statute is preempted by the Lanham Act.