Was IP Owner an affiliate of Christies International Real Estate?
Christies_International_Real_Estate Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
As described in Item 13, Christie, Manson & Woods, Limited, which is based in the United Kingdom, owns the Marks and licenses them to us pursuant to a Trademark License Agreement ("IP Owner"). IP Owner is not currently our affiliate, but was our affiliate prior to December 2021.
Source: Item 1 — THE FRANCHISOR, AND ANY PARENTS, PREDECESSORS AND AFFILIATES (FDD pages 7–11)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Christies International Real Estate Franchise Disclosure Document, Christie, Manson & Woods, Limited, the IP Owner, which is based in the United Kingdom, owns the Marks and licenses them to Christies International Real Estate pursuant to a Trademark License Agreement. While the IP Owner is not currently an affiliate of Christies International Real Estate, it was an affiliate prior to December 2021.
This means that while Christie's International Real Estate does not own the trademarks outright, it has a license to use them. The relationship between Christie's International Real Estate and the IP Owner has changed over time, transitioning from an affiliate relationship to a licensing arrangement.
For a prospective franchisee, this information is important for understanding the brand's ownership structure and the rights Christies International Real Estate has to use the trademarks. It also highlights a potential risk factor, as changes in the relationship between Christies International Real Estate and the IP Owner could impact the franchisee's ability to use the brand's trademarks in the future.