Under the Buff City Soap Franchise Agreement, what is the registration date for the 'BUFF CITY SOAP' mark?
Buff_City_Soap Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
| Mark | Registration/Application Date | Registration No. |
|---|---|---|
| BUFF CITY SOAP | February 13, 2018 | 5,399,187 |
| SOAP MAKERY | January 15, 2019 | 5,654,077 |
Effective May 29, 2018, Holdings licensed the Marks and the System to us under a trademark license agreement. We are granted a worldwide, perpetual, non-exclusive, non-transferable, royalty-free license to use and sublicense the Marks. If this trademark license agreement is terminated, Holdings has the right to require franchisees to stop using the Marks and the System.
Source: Item 13 — TRADEMARKS (FDD pages 46–48)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Buff City Soap's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the registration date for the 'BUFF CITY SOAP' mark is February 13, 2018, and its registration number is 5,399,187. This information is crucial for prospective franchisees as it confirms that Buff City Soap has legally registered its primary brand name with the United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO). This registration provides Buff City Soap with legal protection against infringement, meaning other businesses cannot use a similar name or logo in a way that would confuse customers.
The FDD also indicates that Holdings, not Buff City Soap itself, owns the trademarks and licenses them to Buff City Soap. Specifically, Holdings licensed the Marks and the System to Buff City Soap under a trademark license agreement effective May 29, 2018. Buff City Soap is granted a worldwide, perpetual, non-exclusive, non-transferable, royalty-free license to use and sublicense the Marks. This arrangement means that Buff City Soap franchisees are using the trademarks under the authority of this license.
However, there is a potential risk: if the trademark license agreement between Holdings and Buff City Soap is terminated, Holdings has the right to require franchisees to stop using the Marks and the System. This highlights the importance of the relationship between Buff City Soap and Holdings, as any disruption could directly impact a franchisee's ability to operate under the Buff City Soap brand. Prospective franchisees should seek clarification on the stability and terms of this licensing agreement to fully understand this potential risk.