The franchisees filed the class-action lawsuit Jan. 20, 2002. The suit seeks unspecified monetary damages for breach of contract, breach of the duty of good faith and fair dealing, and breach of fiduciary duty, among other claims.

The complaint alleges Cendant and Century 21 failed to fulfill their obligations under the franchise agreements to Century 21 franchisees throughout the country. The suit also charges Cendant and Century 21 with redirecting resources paid by Century 21 franchisees to benefit other Cendant real estate entities.

"Part of every dollar I earn goes to the defendants, but I receive less and less for it every year," Gwendolyn Johnson, president of Frank K. Cooper Real Estate #1 Inc. in Miami-Dade County, FL, says in a prepared statement. She says much of her competition is owned by a company that is working for her.