factual

Who owns the "Electrolux" and "Lux" trademarks that Aerus franchisees are permitted to use?

Aerus Franchise · 2025 FDD

Answer from 2025 FDD Document

ally affect your use of the Marks described above.

(a) Electrolux Sublicense Agreement

i. The trademarks "Electrolux" and "Lux" are owned by Aktiebolaget Electrolux, which is a Swedish company that is not affiliated with us. They licensed the right to use "Electrolux" and "Lux" to Aerus LLC and Aerus Canada, Inc., our affiliates, in the United States and Canada respectively. The licenses allow Aerus LLC and Aerus Canada, Inc. to assign the rights described below to Aerus Concepts, L.P., which they did, effective August 27, 2001. Effective on the same date, Aerus Concepts, L.P. licensed the rights described below to us. Such

rights generally permit you to utilize the "Electrolux" and "Lux" marks on the products noted as long as such products are sold through an Aerus Business. The licenses are generally only cancelable by Aktiebolaget Electrolux if the Aerus business or any of the principal operating Aerus entities is sold to a competitor (as such term is defined in the license agreements with Aktiebolaget Electrolux).

  • ii. In connection with the foregoing, there are a series of license instruments granting to us the right to use and license to you for use on a non-exclusive, non-assignable basis (subject to the terms and conditions of the Franchise Agreement and the Manuals), the "Electrolux", "Lux" and derivative trademarks for use in the sale, marketing, distribution and repair of vacuum cleaners and related accessories. The obligations of the licenses have been incorporated into the Manuals, which must be strictly adhered to. Aktiebolaget Electrolux may terminate the Electrolux Sublicense Agreement upon written notice if We, you or any of our other franchisees breach the Electrolux Sublicense Agreement. Material uncured breach of the license terms by you or any other franchisee may result in termination of the license for all franchisees.
  • iii. We are a licensee, and not the owner, of the "Electrolux," "Lux," and related marks and have permission to sublicense such Marks to our franchisees. We, our affiliates and Aktiebologet Electrolux have certain inspection rights related to the use of the trademarks, including the ability to inspect your premises for proper use of the Marks. We may also issue trademark usage guidelines from time to time governing your use of the licensed Marks. The Marks may be used only in the United States if your Approved Locations are in the United States and only in Canada if your Approved Locations are in Canada, and only in (i) direct retail sales to residential customers (meaning door-to-door sales and other sales to residential end-users in a manner other than from a fixed store location open to the general public but not including sales over the Internet or other electronic communications media); and (ii) retail sales to consumers from facilities owned or leased by us or our franchisee and identified as "Aerus" and/or "Electrolux" stores, provided such facilities offer for resale to the general public, in substantial part, only those products sold under the "Aerus" and "Electrolux" brands. You may not sell any damaged goods bearing the Marks, and repossessed or demonstration goods may be sold only with our prior approval. you may be required to assist in the protection of the Marks, and are obligated to indemnify us and our affiliates against any claim resulting from your use of the Marks on products or materials.

(b) Aerus License Agreement

The trademark "Aerus" is owned by our affiliate Aerus Concepts, L.P. ("Aerus Concepts"). We obtained our right to use certain "Aerus" marks and the System pursuant to a license agreement with Aerus Concepts dated August 27, 2001 (the "Aerus License Agreement").

i. Based upon rights granted to us, we are licensing to you, on a non-exclusive, non-assignable basis (subject to the Franchise Agreement and the Manuals, as applicable), the trademark "Aerus" and if you are a franchisee who has executed a Beyond Addendum, the trademark "Beyond", in each instance, for use in the sale, marketing, distribution and repair of various household products, vacuum cleaners and related accessories.

Source: Item 13 — Trademarks (FDD pages 47–51)

What This Means (2025 FDD)

According to Aerus's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the trademarks "Electrolux" and "Lux" are owned by Aktiebolaget Electrolux, a Swedish company not affiliated with Aerus. Aerus LLC and Aerus Canada, Inc., which are Aerus's affiliates, are licensed to use these trademarks in the United States and Canada, respectively. These affiliates then assigned these rights to Aerus Concepts, L.P. on August 27, 2001, who in turn licensed the rights to Aerus.

Aerus franchisees are permitted to use the "Electrolux" and "Lux" trademarks on products sold through an Aerus business. However, Aktiebolaget Electrolux can cancel the licenses if the Aerus business or any of its principal operating entities are sold to a competitor, as defined in the license agreements.

Aerus is a licensee, not the owner, of the "Electrolux" and "Lux" trademarks and can sublicense them to franchisees. Aerus, its affiliates, and Aktiebolaget Electrolux have inspection rights to ensure proper trademark usage, including inspecting franchisee premises. Aerus may issue trademark usage guidelines, and franchisees must use the marks only in approved locations within the United States or Canada for direct retail sales to residential customers or in Aerus or Electrolux stores. Franchisees cannot sell damaged goods with these marks and need prior approval to sell repossessed or demonstration goods. Franchisees may need to help protect the marks and must indemnify Aerus and its affiliates against claims from their trademark use.

Several "Electrolux" and "Lux" trademarks are registered in the United States and Canada. For example, in the United States, the "ELECTROLUX" mark has registration numbers 284,377 (registered June 23, 1931, last renewed June 23, 2021), 195,691 (registered March 3, 1925, last renewed February 4, 2015), 995,587 (registered October 15, 1974, last renewed September 19, 2024), 1,617,477 (registered October 16, 1990, last renewed April 12, 2021), and 562,427 (registered July 29, 1952, last renewed August 28, 2023). The "LUX" mark has registration numbers 2,870,365 (registered August 3, 2004, last renewed July 29, 2014) and 2,385,804 (registered September 12, 2000, last renewed August 21, 2020).

Disclaimer: This information is extracted from the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document and is provided for research purposes only. It does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult with a franchise attorney before making any investment decisions.