Who can a Christies International Real Estate franchisee disclose the terms of the Franchise Agreement to?
Christies_International_Real_Estate Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Except as required by law, you may not make any press release or other public announcement respecting the subject matter of this Agreement without our written consent as to the form of such press release or public announcement.
- 7.10. Office Sign. You must install one (1) or more exterior signs displaying your Trade Name on your Main Office and any Additional Offices. Your sign(s) must conform to the Brand Guidelines. The sign(s) utilizing our Marks must be installed within ninety (90) days from the Effective Date of this Agreement. You must obtain our prior written permission for any exception to the office sign requirements due to local ordinances or other reasons and you must provide written documentation reflecting the reasons for varying the signage.
8. CONFIDENTIALITY AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
- **8.1.
Definition.** "Confidential Information" means the methods, techniques, information, data, formats, marketing and promotional techniques and procedures, specifications, information, systems, software, and knowledge of and experience in operating and franchising CHRISTIE'S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE businesses that we communicate to you or that you otherwise acquire in operating the Business under the System including, but not limited to, the Operations Manual and Brand Guidelines and the terms of this Agreement.
Confidential Information does not include information, processes or techniques that are generally known to the public, other than through disclosure (whether deliberate or inadvertent) by you.
- **8.2.
Confidentiality.** You acknowledge and agree that you do not acquire any interest in the Confidential Information, other than the right to use it in developing and operating the Business pursuant to this Agreement, and that the use or duplication of the Confidential Information in any other business constitutes an unfair method of competition.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 54–177)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Christies International Real Estate FDD, franchisees are restricted from making press releases or public announcements regarding the Franchise Agreement's subject matter without the franchisor's written consent, unless disclosure is required by law.
Christies International Real Estate considers the terms of the Franchise Agreement to be Confidential Information. Franchisees acknowledge they do not acquire any interest in the Confidential Information, other than the right to use it in developing and operating the Business pursuant to this Agreement.
This obligation to maintain confidentiality is a standard practice in franchising to protect the franchisor's proprietary information and maintain a competitive advantage. Prospective Christies International Real Estate franchisees should be aware of these confidentiality obligations and ensure they have procedures in place to safeguard this information.