Are there any pending infringements, oppositions, or cancellations regarding the Bigfoot Forestry trademarks?
Bigfoot_Forestry Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
There are currently no: (a) effective material determinations of the Patent and Trademark Office, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, the trademark administrator of this state or any court; (b) pending infringements, oppositions or cancellations; (c) pending material litigation matters involving any of the Marks; or (d) infringing uses we are aware of that could materially affect your use of the Marks.
Source: Item 13 — TRADEMARKS (FDD page 31)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bigfoot Forestry's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, there are currently no pending infringements, oppositions, or cancellations regarding their trademarks. The FDD states that there are no effective material determinations from the Patent and Trademark Office, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, or any court. Additionally, there is no pending material litigation involving any of the marks, nor are there any infringing uses that Bigfoot Forestry is aware of that could materially affect a franchisee's use of the marks. This indicates that Bigfoot Forestry is not currently involved in any legal disputes or challenges related to its trademarks.
Bigfoot Forestry also has an Intellectual Property License Agreement with ASCV, which grants Bigfoot Forestry the right to use the trademarks in the Bigfoot Forestry system and sublicense them to franchisees. This agreement automatically renews annually unless terminated under specific conditions, such as bankruptcy, failure to meet quality control standards, or consent to termination. Importantly, the FDD states that if the License Agreement is terminated, all sublicenses granted to franchisees will remain in effect until the expiration or termination of the applicable franchise agreement.
As a franchisee, it's important to understand that Bigfoot Forestry may change the trademarks used from time to time, and franchisees would be responsible for the expense of changing to the new trademark. Franchisees are also obligated to notify Bigfoot Forestry immediately if they discover any infringing use or challenges to the use of the marks. While Bigfoot Forestry will take action as deemed appropriate, they are not required to take any action. The Franchise Agreement does not require Bigfoot Forestry to protect a franchisee's right to use the marks, protect against infringement claims, or participate in a franchisee's defense in legal proceedings involving the trademarks.