Upon termination of the Aw franchise, what must the franchisee do with domain name registrations and websites using the Marks?
Aw Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- (e) assign to us or our designee all of your right, title and interest in and to any domain name registrations, any web sites, and any listings or presence on any social media platforms or social media networks, or other presence on the internet using the Marks, including passwords and account manager access, and shall promptly notify the necessary parties of the termination of your license to use the Marks, and therefore, your right to use any domain name, website, or other presence on the internet using the Marks, and to authorize a transfer of same to us or our designee;
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 39–40)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 FDD, upon termination of the Aw franchise agreement, the franchisee is required to assign all rights and interests in any domain name registrations and websites using Aw's marks to Aw or its designee. This includes providing passwords and account manager access. The franchisee must also notify the necessary parties about the termination of their license to use Aw's marks, which consequently terminates their right to use any domain name, website, or other internet presence associated with those marks. The franchisee must then authorize the transfer of these digital assets to Aw or its designee.
This requirement ensures that Aw maintains control over its brand and online presence, preventing former franchisees from potentially misrepresenting themselves as part of the Aw system or using the brand's online identity in unauthorized ways. It is a fairly standard practice in franchising to protect the brand's integrity and customer perception.
In practical terms, a franchisee exiting the Aw system must take immediate steps to relinquish control over any online assets that utilize the Aw brand. This includes not only transferring ownership but also providing all necessary access credentials to ensure a smooth transition. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in legal action from Aw to enforce the terms of the franchise agreement and protect its intellectual property.