The California Department of Business Oversight ("DBO"), which oversees all franchise filings and registrations in the state, announced yesterday that it will be launching a new portal that will allow franchisors to electronically file franchise applications and exemption notices. The portal, named Document Quality Network ("DOCQNET"), will begin accept e-filed franchise registration and renewal applications (as well as exemption notices) beginning at 12 pm on June 18, 2014.
DOCQNET will replace the existing California Electronic Access to Securities Information and Franchise Information ("Cal-EASI") portal. DOCQNET will be an improvement on Cal-EASI because, while the latter portal allows users to view franchise applications and other franchise filing documents, it does not permit e-filing. Cal-EASI also required DBO employees to manually scan and upload franchise filings, which resulted in documents not being available on Cal-EASI until 4-6 months after they were filed. DOCQNET will likely result in faster access to electronically-filed franchise documents.
For more information about DOCQNET, visit the Department of Business Oversight page at www.dbo.ca.gov/DOCQNET.
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