According to Christies International Real Estate, what is the significance of the 'Marks'?
Christies_International_Real_Estate Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- 21.9. "Marks" means the trademarks, service marks, and other trademarks, trade names, service marks, domain names, logos and commercial symbols that we have designated, or may in the future designate, for use in the System, which include CHRISTIE'S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 54–177)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Christies International Real Estate's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the 'Marks' refer to the trademarks, service marks, and other commercial symbols designated for use within the Christies International Real Estate system, including the name CHRISTIE'S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE itself. These marks are central to the brand's identity and the franchisee's ability to operate under its name.
As a franchisee, you cannot represent that you own any of the Marks. Your usage of 'CHRISTIE'S' is restricted to the specific phrase 'CHRISTIE'S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE,' and you cannot use the font associated with the 'CHRISTIE'S' Marks for any other words. The Marks must be used in combination with other marks as specified in the agreement, which may be modified. Furthermore, you are obligated to market and position the Marks as a leading luxury brand, and you cannot associate other trademarks with more luxurious services or properties than those offered under the Christies International Real Estate brand.
Christies International Real Estate retains all rights to activities associated with the Marks not specifically granted to the franchisee. This includes the right to operate or franchise Christies International Real Estate businesses outside the franchisee's protected territory, or to operate any other kind of business under the Marks outside the franchisee's territory, including online. The agreement emphasizes that franchisees do not have the right to control or impose conditions on Christies International Real Estate's future development of licensed, franchised, or company-owned businesses.
The franchisee's rights to use the Marks are contingent on marketing, selling, or leasing only 'luxury real estate' and maintaining an average selling price for properties as designated by Christies International Real Estate. While franchisees can initially designate properties as 'luxury real estate' based on their market, Christies International Real Estate reserves the right to require the removal of such designations. Additionally, franchisees cannot use the Marks, including the name 'CHRISTIE'S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE,' as part of the name of their business entity, but are required to operate under the trade name 'CHRISTIE'S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE' with an approved unique identifier.