California Code, Business and Professions Code - BPC § 20009

The regulations, releases, guidelines, and interpretive opinions of the Commissioner of Financial Protection and Innovation under the Franchise Investment Law (Division 5 (commencing with Section 31000) of Title 4 of the Corporations Code) regarding whether or not an agreement constitutes a “franchise” within the meaning of that law shall be prima facie evidence of the scope and extent of coverage of the definition of “franchise” under this chapter; provided, however, the burden of proving an exemption or an exception from a definition is upon the person claiming it.