What is the scope of the Burros Fries franchisee's right to use the Names and Marks?
Burros_Fries Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
ating Manual as well as our policy statements, which underlie the goodwill associated with and symbolized by the Names and Marks.
B. Franchisee is Licensed to Use Names and Marks
With respect to Franchisee's franchised use of Burros & Fries Franchise, Inc.'s Names and Marks pursuant to this Agreement, Franchisee agrees that:
- Franchisee shall use only the Names and Marks as are approved in writing by us for Franchisee's use, and shall use them only in the manner authorized and permitted by us and that in any use whatsoever of the Names and Marks of ours that the Names and Marks are identified as being registered to or owned by Burros & Fries Franchise, Inc., with exclusive rights give to us;
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- Franchisee shall use the Names and Marks only in connection with the operation of the Business and in advertising for the Business conducted at or from the Franchisee's web page and Accepted Location;
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- Franchisee shall use and display, as we may require in the operation of the Business, a notice in the form approved by us indicating that Franchisee is a "Franchise of Burros & Fries" and that the Names and Marks are used by Franchisee under such Franchise. Franchisee must indicate to third parties that it is "independently owned and operated" and that we own the Marks and Franchisee uses them under a license;
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- Unless otherwise authorized or required by us, Franchisee shall operate and advertise the Business under the Name and Mark "Burros & Fries";
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- Franchisee's right to use the Names and Marks is limited to such usages as are authorized under this Agreement, and any unauthorized use shall constitute an infringement of our rights and a material breach of this Agreement;
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- Franchisee must obtain our approval for any use of any item of printed material of any kind bearing any of the Names or Marks, unless we supplied the item. We shall approve or deny Franchisee's request, which approval is in our sole discretion, within thirty (30) days of receipt of Franchisee's written request. If we fail to respond to Franchisee's request within said thirty (30) day period, Franchisee's request shall be deemed denied. Franchisee shall use such notices of Trademark registrations and copyrights as we specify.
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- Franchisee shall not use the Names and Marks to incur any obligations or indebtedness on our behalf;
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- Franchisee shall not use the Names and Marks or any part thereof as part of its corporate or other legal name;
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- Except as otherwise permitted in this Agreement, Franchisee shall not use the Names and Marks or any part thereof in any form on the Internet, including but not limited to, addresses, domain names, URL's, Websites, links, metatags, locators and search techniques;
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- Franchisee shall comply with our instructions in filing and maintaining the requisite trade name or fictitious name registration, and shall execute any documents deemed necessary by us or our counsel to obtain protection for the Names and Marks or to maintain their continued validity and enforceability;
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- In the event any litigation involving the Names and Marks is instituted or threatened against Franchisee, Franchisee shall promptly notify us and shall cooperate fully with us in defending such litigation. Franchisee agrees to execute any and all instruments and documents, render such assistance, and do such acts or things as may, in the sole opinion of us, reasonably be necessary or advisable to protect and maintain the interests of us or any other interested party in the Names or Marks.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 53)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to the 2024 Burros Fries Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee's right to use the brand's Names and Marks is explicitly defined and limited. Burros Fries franchisees can only use the Names and Marks approved in writing by the company and must use them in the manner authorized. All usage must identify that the Names and Marks are registered to or owned by Burros & Fries Franchise, Inc. Franchisees must use the Names and Marks only in connection with the operation of their Burros Fries business, including advertising on their web page and at their Accepted Location.
The franchisee must display a notice indicating they are a "Franchise of Burros & Fries" and that the Names and Marks are used under such franchise. They also need to indicate to third parties that the business is independently owned and operated under a license from Burros Fries. Unless otherwise authorized, franchisees must operate and advertise under the name "Burros & Fries." The right to use the Names and Marks is limited to the usages authorized in the agreement, and any unauthorized use constitutes an infringement and a material breach of the agreement.
Burros Fries franchisees must obtain approval for any use of printed material bearing the Names or Marks, unless the item is supplied by the company. The company has sole discretion to approve or deny these requests within 30 days; failure to respond within this period means the request is denied. Upon termination or expiration of the franchise agreement, the franchisee must immediately cease all use of the Names and Marks, including on signage, advertising, and any other materials. They must also change the appearance of their business to distinguish it from Burros Fries, and any goodwill from the use of Names and Marks accrues solely to the benefit of Burros Fries.