(a) Except as otherwise provided, it shall be unlawful for any holder of a manufacturer’s or wholesaler’s license to have any direct or indirect interest in any retailer’s license or in the business carried on under a retailer’s license. If by operation of law the holder of a manufacturer’s or wholesaler’s license acquires an interest in a retailer’s license, or in the business carried on under a retailer’s license, he or she shall within thirty (30) days after acquiring that interest report the interest to the department and shall dispose of that interest in accordance with the directions of the department. Any person willfully violating the provisions of this section shall forfeit his or her manufacturer’s license and his or her interest in the retailer’s license.
(b) The holder of a license issued pursuant to § 3-6-1.1, et seq., located at 162 West Main Road, Little Compton, Rhode Island may have a direct or indirect interest in a Class B license, provided, that the holder shall remain obligated to comply with § 3-7-18 and § 3-5-11.1.