Who owns the domain name registered for a Card My Yard franchise?
Card_My_Yard Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- (2) You agree that you have no authority to, and you will not, register any domain name in any class or category that uses or creates any association with the Marks (including any abbreviation, acronym, phonetic variation or visual variation of the Marks) or the System without our express prior written consent. You must obtain our written approval for your domain name prior to use. Your domain name must be registered in our name and licensed to you by us. On termination or expiration of this Agreement, the license of the domain name to you will automatically terminate and you agree to undertake all such actions that we require to disassociate yourself with the domain name.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 84–259)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Card My Yard's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the domain name for a Card My Yard franchise must be registered in the franchisor's name. The franchisor then licenses the domain name to the franchisee. This means that while a franchisee can use a domain name for their business, they do not own it.
This arrangement gives Card My Yard control over its brand's online presence. If a franchisee wants to use a domain name, they must first obtain written approval from Card My Yard. This ensures that the domain name aligns with the brand's standards and does not create any confusion for customers.
Upon termination or expiration of the Franchise Agreement, the license to use the domain name automatically terminates. The franchisee must then take all necessary steps to disassociate themselves from the domain name as directed by Card My Yard. This is a standard practice in franchising, as it protects the franchisor's brand and prevents former franchisees from using the brand's online identity after their agreement ends.