Who owns the Better Homes And Gardens Real Estate Marks and registrations?
Better_Homes_And_Gardens_Real_Estate Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
All of the Marks and the above registrations are owned by Meredith Operations or by the Licensee Entity. All registrations have been renewed on a timely basis and all appropriate maintenance affidavits have been filed. The Trademark License Agreement grants to the Licensee Entity exclusive rights to use and to sublicense, the Better Homes and Gardens® trademark and related trademarks in connection with real estate brokerage services. Other persons may be authorized to use the Better Homes and Gardens trademark for businesses, products and services other than in connection with real estate brokerage services. The Trademark License Agreement grants an exclusive license for an initial 50-year period and provides the
Licensee Entity a unilateral right to extend the exclusive license, in its sole discretion, for an additional 50 year term. We were subsequently granted an exclusive license, for a coterminous period, from the Licensee Entity to sublicense the Marks to franchisees under the Trademark Sublicense Agreement.
We must ensure that all franchisees utilizing the Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Marks meet our standards. The Trademark License Agreement significantly limits our rights to use or license the use of the Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate Marks, which are material to the Franchise. In order to protect and uphold our standards (and meet our continuing obligations under the Trademark Sublicense Agreement and the Licensee Entity's obligations under the Trademark License Agreement), you must follow our rules when you use the Marks.
Source: Item 13 — TRADEMARKS (FDD pages 58–60)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Better Homes And Gardens Real Estate Franchise Disclosure Document, the Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Marks and registrations are owned by Meredith Operations or by the Licensee Entity.
The Trademark License Agreement grants the Licensee Entity exclusive rights to use and sublicense the Better Homes and Gardens trademark and related trademarks specifically for real estate brokerage services. It is important to note that other entities may be authorized to use the Better Homes and Gardens trademark for businesses, products, and services outside of real estate brokerage. The Licensee Entity's exclusive license is granted for an initial 50-year period, with a unilateral right to extend it for an additional 50-year term.
Better Homes And Gardens Real Estate was subsequently granted an exclusive license from the Licensee Entity to sublicense the Marks to franchisees under the Trademark Sublicense Agreement for a coterminous period. Better Homes And Gardens Real Estate must ensure that all franchisees utilizing the Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Marks meet their standards. The Trademark License Agreement significantly limits Better Homes And Gardens Real Estate's rights to use or license the use of the Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate Marks, which are material to the Franchise. Franchisees must adhere to Better Homes And Gardens Real Estate's rules when using the Marks to protect these standards and meet obligations under both the Trademark Sublicense Agreement and the Licensee Entity's obligations under the Trademark License Agreement.