(1) For purposes of this rule, any ownership interest in a business that operates a license issued under the Montana Alcoholic Beverage Code is considered to be an ownership interest in the license itself.

(2) A Montana all-beverages licensee may not:

(a) possess a financial or ownership interest in:

(i) a Montana agency liquor store;

(ii) more than two additional Montana all-beverages licenses, for an aggregate number of three licenses, except as provided in 16-4-205, MCA; or

(iii) more than half the total number of Montana all-beverages licenses in any quota area described in 16-4-201, MCA;

(b) through a business or family relationship, share in the profits or liabilities in more than half the total number of Montana all-beverages licenses in the specific quota area in which the licenses will be held; or

(c) individually or through the person's immediate family, receive financing from or have any affiliation to:

(i) an alcoholic beverage manufacturer or importer of alcoholic beverages, except that a licensee's spouse may possess an ownership interest in one or more manufacturer licenses; or

(ii) a distributor of alcoholic beverages, including a Montana beer wholesaler, Montana table wine distributor, and a Montana agency liquor store.

(3) All other Montana retail on-premises consumption alcoholic beverages licensees may not:

(a) possess a financial or ownership interest in a Montana agency liquor store; or

(b) individually or through the person's immediate family, receive financing from or have any affiliation to:

(i) an alcoholic beverage manufacturer or importer of alcoholic beverages, except that a licensee's spouse may possess an ownership interest in one or more manufacturer licenses; or

(ii) a distributor of alcoholic beverages, including a Montana beer wholesaler, Montana table wine distributor, and a Montana agency liquor store.

(4) A Montana retail off-premises consumption beer and table wine licensee may not:

(a) possess a financial or ownership interest in a Montana agency liquor store; or

(b) individually or through the person's immediate family, receive financing from or have any affiliation to:

(i) an alcoholic beverage manufacturer or importer of alcoholic beverages; or

(ii) a distributor of alcoholic beverages, including a Montana beer wholesaler, Montana table wine distributor, and a Montana agency liquor store.

(5) A Montana beer wholesaler may not:

(a) possess a financial or ownership interest in a Montana agency liquor store, a Montana alcoholic beverages retailer, an alcoholic beverages manufacturer, or another Montana beer wholesaler;

(b) have any affiliation with a Montana alcoholic beverages retailer, or the immediate family of a Montana alcoholic beverages retailer; or

(c) be owned or controlled by an alcoholic beverages manufacturer or an importer of alcoholic beverages.

(6) A Montana table wine distributor may not:

(a) possess a financial or ownership interest in a Montana agency liquor store, a Montana alcoholic beverages retailer, an alcoholic beverages manufacturer, or another Montana table wine distributor;

(b) have any affiliation with a Montana alcoholic beverages retailer or the immediate family member of a Montana alcoholic beverages retailer; or

(c) be owned or controlled by an alcoholic beverages manufacturer or an importer of alcoholic beverages.

(7) A Montana alcoholic beverage manufacturer may not possess a financial or ownership interest in:

(a) a distributor of alcoholic beverages, including a Montana beer wholesaler, a Montana table wine distributor, and a Montana agency liquor store; or

(b) a Montana alcoholic beverages retailer.