Who owns the rights to each Online Presence used by an Americas Best Value Inn franchisee?
Americas_Best_Value_Inn Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
We will own the rights to each Online Presence. At our request, you must grant us access to each Online Presence and to take whatever action we request to prove that we own each Online Presence or help us obtain exclusive administrative rights in such Online Presence.
Upon the expiration or termination of the Franchise Agreement, you must irrevocably assign and transfer to us (or to our designee) all of your right, title and interest in any domain name listings and registrations and other Online Presence which contain any references to the Network Marks or any of the Network Brands, and must notify the applicable domain name registrar(s) or other third-party of the termination of your right to use any domain name or Online Presence associated with the Network Marks or any of the Network Brands, and will authorize and instruct the cancellation or transfer of the Online Presence to us (or our designee), as directed by us. You also must delete all references to the Network Marks and any of the Network Brands from any other Online Presence you own, maintain or operate beyond the expiration or termination of the Franchise Agreement.
Source: Item 11 — **FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING (FDD pages 44–54)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Americas Best Value Inn Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisor retains ownership of all rights to each Online Presence used by a franchisee. This includes domain names, websites, email addresses, social media accounts, and any other online presence related to the Network Brands or the franchisee's hotel.
Specifically, Americas Best Value Inn requires franchisees to grant them access to each Online Presence and take actions to prove their ownership or help them obtain exclusive administrative rights. Upon the expiration or termination of the Franchise Agreement, the franchisee must irrevocably assign and transfer all rights and interests in any domain name listings, registrations, and other Online Presence containing references to the Network Marks or Brands to the franchisor or their designee. The franchisee must also notify the relevant domain name registrars or third parties of the termination of their right to use any domain name or Online Presence associated with the Network Marks or Brands, and authorize the cancellation or transfer of the Online Presence as directed by the franchisor.
This policy ensures that Americas Best Value Inn maintains control over its brand's online representation and prevents franchisees from using the brand's online presence independently. Franchisees must also delete all references to the Network Marks and any of the Network Brands from any other Online Presence they own, maintain, or operate beyond the expiration or termination of the Franchise Agreement. This allows for consistent brand management and prevents confusion among customers after a franchise agreement ends.