Can Christies International Real Estate advertise the System on the Internet?
Christies_International_Real_Estate Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
ctronic means such as the Internet, applications, by websites we may establish, catalog sales, telemarketing, or other direct marketing sales;
- (f) To advertise the System anywhere, including, without limitation, on the Internet (or any other existing or future form of electronic commerce) and to create, operate, maintain, and modify, or discontinue the use of a website or any online presence using the Marks; and
- (g) to engage in all other activities associated with the CHRISTIES INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE Marks not expressly prohibited under the License Agreement.
As indicated above, if the License Agreement does not designate a Protected Territory, then you have no territorial protection, we reserve all rights, and we and other Affiliates may operate real estate brokerages or other businesses under the CHRISTIE'S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE mark anywhere.
Minimum Performance Requirement
Your rights under the License Agreement are dependent on you achieving the minimum performance requirements identified on Exhibit 1 to the License Agreement (referred to as the "Minimum Performance Requirement"). If you fail to satisfy the Minimum Performance Requirement during the term of the License Agreement, we have the right, but are not required, to terminate the License Agreement, or, in lieu of termination, modify or rescind any such territorial or protected rights.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 54–177)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Christies International Real Estate FDD, Christies International Real Estate has the right to advertise the System anywhere, including on the Internet. They can create, operate, maintain, modify, or discontinue any website or online presence using their Marks.
Christies International Real Estate also reserves the right to promote, sell, and distribute products, items, and other materials under the Marks through electronic means such as the Internet and websites they may establish. This means that Christies International Real Estate retains control over the System's advertising and online presence, which may impact how individual franchisees can market their businesses online.
While franchisees have the right to offer and sell real estate brokerage services identified by the Marks through the Internet, this excludes the metaverse, over which Christies International Real Estate maintains full control. Additionally, franchisees must adhere to the Operations Manual and Brand Guidelines for all advertising and promotions, and Christies International Real Estate has the right to require franchisees to remove any marketing materials that do not comply with these guidelines or any laws. Franchisees are also prohibited from registering any of the Marks as Internet domain names.
Christies International Real Estate may require franchisees to pay a monthly advertising fee, not exceeding three percent of Gross Revenue, for deposit into an Advertising Fund. The franchisor manages this fund and determines the advertising methods and media employed. Although franchisees contribute to the Advertising Fund, there is no guarantee that individual franchisees will directly benefit from the advertising in their local market. This centralized control over advertising and branding ensures consistency but may limit a franchisee's ability to tailor marketing efforts to their specific local market without franchisor approval.