After an article that displeased him, the broker Meilleurtaux wanted to search the computers of a franchisee: the justice system opposes the secrecy of journalists' sources

The Paris Court of Appeal, recalling the protection of the confidentiality of journalists' sources, recently rejected the request of the real estate loan broker Meilleurtaux wishing to search the digital media of a franchisee suspected of speaking to the press, we learned Thursday from a source close to the matter. "The very nature of the information sought is likely to disregard the provisions of article 2 of the law of July 29, 1881 which provides in particular that the secrecy of journalists' sources is protected in the exercise of their mission of informing the public", establishes in particular the court of appeal in a decision at the end of October of which AFP was informed. It all starts from the article "Meilleurtaux: major tensions between franchisees and the group's management" published in the online media L'Informé in February.

There is talk of a management project for an evolution of “franchise contracts by significantly increasing the fees paid by agencies to exploit the brand”. In May, Meilleurtaux filed a request with the Paris Economic Activities Court to try to have a court commissioner search, on a franchisee's digital media, for elements related to "the press" and "disputed confidential information". This procedure, aimed at the person who was co-president at the time of the Meilleurtaux Franchise Association (AFMTX), consisted of requesting a search by keywords, such as "L'Informé", "journalist", "press", "royalty" or even "franchise contract".

The Paris Economic Activities Court rejected this request twice in May and June. Muzzle franchisees? This case was then brought by Meilleurtaux before the Court of Appeal in September, which rendered its decision at the end of October, confirming the rejection of the real estate loan broker's request.

“We were not aware of this procedure launched in a non-contradictory manner, without the franchisee's knowledge,” comments Romain Verzeni, lawyer for the Meilleurtaux Franchisee Association. “The Meilleurtaux company will therefore stop at nothing to muzzle the franchisees and their association, not even in the face of the secrecy of the sources. The orders of the Paris Economic Activities Court and the judgment of the Court of Appeal are beneficial,” believes this council.

Contacted, Meilleurtaux “does not comment on the content of a current procedure”. “This is part of a contractual dispute with a franchisee that Meilleurtaux intends to handle in accordance with the law and before the competent courts,” concludes the real estate loan broker.

Machine-translated from French