What is the C12 Group franchisee's obligation regarding compliance with trademark usage after termination?
C12_Group Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
If this Agreement is terminated, Franchisee agrees to immediately cease using Franchisor's trade name, trademarks, service marks, symbols, or insignia, or any proprietary materials, forms, bulletins, advertising materials, slogans, manuals, or websites which relate to the name and marks listed in this Agreement.
Franchisee shall ensure compliance with this by returning
these materials to Franchisor or, if Franchisor directs, destroying them.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 46)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 C12 Group Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee has specific obligations regarding the use of C12 Group's trademarks, service marks, and other proprietary materials upon termination of the franchise agreement. The franchisee must immediately cease using C12 Group's trade name, trademarks, service marks, symbols, or insignia. This extends to any proprietary materials, forms, bulletins, advertising materials, slogans, manuals, or websites associated with the C12 Group's name and marks.
To ensure compliance, the franchisee is required to return all these materials to C12 Group or, if directed by C12 Group, to destroy them. This requirement is in place to protect C12 Group's brand identity and prevent any potential misuse or confusion in the market after the franchise agreement ends.
These post-termination obligations are standard in franchising. They are designed to ensure that a former franchisee does not continue to benefit from the franchisor's brand recognition and goodwill after the agreement has ended. Franchisees should be aware of these requirements and plan accordingly to avoid any potential legal issues after the termination of their franchise agreement.