Can a Belocal franchisee use 'Hyport Digital' as part of their business entity name?
Belocal Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Franchisee shall not use the name of any N2 publication or any of Franchisor's Marks or trade names, including the specific Marks "BELOCAL," "N2," "N2 Publishing," "Hyport Digital," or any abbreviation, acronym, or variation of those words as part of Franchisee's name, as part of any business entity in which Franchisee owns or holds an interest, or as part of any Online Presence (including any Internet, Web address, or email domain name or URL). Franchisee must submit to Franchisor for approval, in writing, Franchisee's proposed entity name, and Franchisee shall not name its entity using any name that is not approved by Franchisor.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 71)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Belocal's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee is expressly prohibited from using 'Hyport Digital' as part of their business entity name. This restriction is in place to protect Belocal's trademarks and maintain brand consistency across all franchise locations.
Specifically, the FDD states that franchisees cannot use any of Belocal's marks or trade names, including 'BELOCAL,' 'N2,' 'N2 Publishing,' 'Hyport Digital,' or any abbreviation, acronym, or variation of those words, as part of their name or any business entity in which they hold an interest. This extends to online presence, including web addresses or email domain names.
Before registering a business entity name, a Belocal franchisee must submit their proposed name to Belocal for written approval. This process ensures that the chosen name complies with Belocal's branding guidelines and avoids any potential trademark infringement. This requirement is typical in franchising, as franchisors need to maintain tight control over their brand identity.
Therefore, a prospective Belocal franchisee should be aware that their choice of business entity name is subject to Belocal's approval and that using 'Hyport Digital' or any similar variation is explicitly prohibited.