What is the registration number for the 'AMERICAS BEST VALUE INN' service mark?
Americas_Best_Value_Inn Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
| SERVICE MARK | REGISTRATION | REGISTRATION | OWNER OF |
|---|---|---|---|
| NO. | DATE | RECORD | |
| SONESTA | 3,685,842 | 9/22/2009 | Sonesta |
| AMERICAS BEST VALUE INN | 4,330,925 | 5/7/2013 | SRLHF |
| ABVI | 4,525,504 | 5/6/2014 | SRLHF |
| 5,597,083 | 10/30/2018 | SRLHF | |
| SERVICE MARKS REGISTERED ON THE U.S. PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE’S | |||
| PRINCIPAL REGISTER | |||
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| SERVICE MARK | REGISTRATION | REGISTRATION | OWNER OF |
| NO. | DATE | RECORD | |
| 5,908,715 | 11/12/2019 | SRLHF |
Source: Item 13 — TRADEMARKS (FDD pages 56–58)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Americas Best Value Inn Franchise Disclosure Document, the service mark 'AMERICAS BEST VALUE INN' is registered under registration number 4,330,925. The registration was effective as of May 7, 2013, and the owner of record is SRLHF. This information is crucial for prospective franchisees as it confirms the legal standing and protection of the brand's name.
The FDD also states that Americas Best Value Inn grants franchisees the non-exclusive right to operate under these service marks. However, franchisees are restricted from using the brand name or similar names in their corporate name, internet domains, or social media sites. This condition ensures that the brand maintains control over its identity and prevents potential misuse or brand dilution by individual franchisees.
Furthermore, the document clarifies that Americas Best Value Inn or Sonesta own the marks, and all rights and goodwill associated with their use accrue to them and their affiliates. This is a standard practice in franchising, where the franchisor retains ownership of the brand and its associated intellectual property. While franchisees benefit from using the established brand, they do not gain ownership rights.
Americas Best Value Inn and Sonesta have a License Agreement, effective September 23, 2021, granting Americas Best Value Inn the right to use and sublicense the marks owned by Sonesta to its franchisees. This agreement has a term of 99 years, with provisions for termination notice. Even if this agreement expires or terminates, franchisees can continue using the marks until their individual franchise agreements expire or terminate. This provides some assurance of continued brand usage rights for franchisees even if the overarching licensing arrangement changes.