What is the C12 Group's policy on franchisee's use of the C12 logos?
C12_Group Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
a C12 Group franchise within Franchisee's Territory, or operate a C12 Group business within Franchisee's Territory.
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- Trade Name and Marks. Franchisor owns certain trademarks, service marks, trade names, logotypes, internet domain names, commercial symbols, copyrighted materials, and proprietary processes and materials which Franchisee is licensed to use. This includes The C12 Group® service mark which is registered with the USPTO as a Principal Register federal registration in addition to any other marks C12 may establish from time to time. In addition, Franchisor owns several top-level internet domain names (i.e., .COM, .NET, .ORG) that have been registered with domain name registrars, including Franchisor's primary website. Franchisee agrees to use Franchisor's current and future trademarks, service marks, trade names, logotypes, and domain names only in the ways Franchisor has approved in advance in writing as Franchisor has set forth in its training and operating manuals or in other routine communications to C12 Group franchisees such as semi-annual training workshops and via Franchisor's web-based portal for franchisee materials, resources, and information. Franchisor's branding and marks shall only be used by Franchisee in conjunction with the delivery of approved C12 Group goods and services. Franchisor agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold Franchisee harmless in the event that Franchisee's use of Franchisor's trademarks in accordance with this Agreement infringes upon the intellectual property rights of a third party. Franchisee agrees to notify Franchisor immediately if and when Franchisee learns of an infringement or challenge to Franchisee's use of any of Franchisor's trademarks. Franchisee shall not directly or indirectly contest Franchisor's right to, or use of, the C12 trademarks, trade secrets, or proprietary materials and processes that are part of Franchisor's business format. 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.
II. Term and Renewal
The Term of this Agreement begins upon the execution hereof and continues through December 31st of the calendar year following the year in which this Agreement is executed. For example, if this Agreement is executed on May 31, 2024, the Term shall expire on December 31, 2025.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 46)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to C12 Group's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are granted a license to use C12 Group's trademarks, service marks, trade names, logotypes, internet domain names, commercial symbols, copyrighted materials, and proprietary processes and materials. This includes The C12 Group® service mark, which is registered with the USPTO.
Franchisees must adhere to C12 Group's System Standards, which include using C12 agendas, facilitation standards, materials, segments, forms, logos, and websites. Franchisees must also strictly follow the C12 Brand Standards Guide for paper and colors as directed without any deviation or substitution unless approved in writing by C12 Group. Franchisees are permitted to use the C12 trade name, logo, or copyrighted materials for normal uses in monthly C12 meetings, events, seminars, and marketing efforts. Any use beyond these normal, permitted uses requires C12 Group's prior written permission and compliance with the C12 Brand Standards Guide.
C12 Group also specifies that franchisees use the trademarks, service marks, trade names, logotypes, and domain names only in ways that C12 Group has approved in advance in writing, as set forth in its training and operating manuals or in other routine communications to C12 Group franchisees, such as semi-annual training workshops and via C12 Group's web-based portal for franchisee materials, resources, and information. The branding and marks shall only be used by the franchisee in conjunction with the delivery of approved C12 Group goods and services.
Upon termination of the Franchise Agreement, the franchisee must immediately stop using C12 Group'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. The franchisee must ensure compliance by returning these materials to C12 Group or, if C12 Group directs, destroying them.