Can I offer a free trial for my product or service in Montana? What are the requirements?

Offering Free Trials in Montana

Montana law does not have specific provisions regarding offering free trials for products or services. Therefore, you can offer a free trial for your product or service in Montana. However, you must ensure that your business complies with the requirements of the law.

To offer free trials, you must establish the responsibilities and duties of each party by written contract with the client, which must disclose the services provided, the administrative fee, and the respective rights and obligations of the parties ^[1.1]. Additionally, you must maintain and make available for the department or its agent all records relating to your business conduct ^[1.1].

If you are a professional employer organization or group, you must comply with the requirements set forth in MTCO 39-8-207 and MTCO 39-8-202. You must file an initial license application with the department and pay a nonrefundable application fee ^[1.2]. You must also provide information to show that you and each controlling person are of good moral character, have business integrity, and are financially responsible ^[1.2].

Montana Small Business Licensing Coordination Act

The Montana Small Business Licensing Coordination Act, MTCO 30-16-101 et seq., establishes a small business licensing coordination center to document and analyze current licensing requirements, fees, and procedures, recommend elimination of unnecessary licensing requirements, and recommend efficient and effective improvements in the administration and enforcement of licensing laws ^[3.1].

Definitions

As used in the Montana Small Business Licensing Coordination Act, “license” means the whole or part of any agency permit, license, certificate, approval, registration, or charter or any form or permission required by law or administrative rule to engage in any retail, wholesale, consumer service, manufacturing, or distributing activity ^[2.2].

In summary, Montana law does not prohibit offering free trials for products or services. You must establish the responsibilities and duties of each party by written contract with the client and maintain records relating to your business conduct. If you are a professional employer organization or group, you must comply with additional requirements.

Source(s):

• [1.1] Requirements of licensee
• [3.1] Designation of small business licensing coordination center – duties of center
• [2.2] Definitions
• [1.2] Initial license application – application fee – standards – provisional license

Jurisdiction

Montana

• General