Where are the obligations under the Trademark License Agreement for Christies International Real Estate outlined?
Christies_International_Real_Estate Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You agree to the following additional obligations, pursuant to our obligations under the Trademark License Agreement:
(a) You shall not represent that you own any of the Marks.
(b) You shall not use any Marks that consist of or incorporate "CHRISTIE'S" in any manner other than in the phrase "CHRISTIE'S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE."
(c) You shall not use the font of the "CHRISTIE'S" Marks for any words other than "CHRISTIE'S."
(d) You must use the Marks in combination with the marks set forth in Section 7 of Exhibit 1 of this Agreement, which may be modified from time to time in writing, with our prior written consent.
(e) You shall market, hold out and otherwise position the Marks as a leading luxury brand.
You shall not market, hold out or otherwise position any other trademarks, trade names, service marks, domain names, logos or other commercial symbols as being associated with more luxurious real estate brokerage services or more luxurious real estate properties than those offered, marketed or sold under the Marks.
- (f) You agree that you are neither directly nor indirectly controlled by Sotheby's Inc., Phillips Auctioneers Limited, Beijing Poly International Auction Co.
Ltd., China Guardian Auctions Co.
Ltd., or their successors (including, for the avoidance of doubt, Realogy Holdings Corp. and its affiliates, for so long as it is licensed to use the Sotheby's Marks), or any other competitor that we may designate from time to time.
- (g) Your rights under this Agreement are contingent on you marketing, selling, or leasing only "luxury real estate" and maintaining an average selling price for properties that we designate from time to time, as further described in the Operations Manual, which definitions of, and formulas for calculating, "luxury real estate" are prescribed by IP Owner in the Trademark License Agreement.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 54–177)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Item 23 outlines several obligations for Christies International Real Estate franchisees under the Trademark License Agreement. These obligations primarily concern the proper use and protection of the Christies International Real Estate Marks.
Specifically, franchisees cannot represent ownership of the Marks, must use the Marks only in the phrase "CHRISTIE'S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE," and must use the designated font. They are also required to market the Marks as a leading luxury brand and cannot position other trademarks as being associated with more luxurious services or properties. Furthermore, franchisees must not be directly or indirectly controlled by specified competitors.
Another critical obligation is that franchisees must market, sell, or lease only "luxury real estate" and maintain an average selling price as designated by Christies International Real Estate, with definitions and formulas prescribed by the IP Owner in the Trademark License Agreement and detailed in the Operations Manual. These stipulations ensure brand consistency and prevent misuse of the Christies International Real Estate trademarks, maintaining the brand's luxury image and competitive positioning.