For Christies International Real Estate, where are the quality standards described?
Christies_International_Real_Estate Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
to the Trademark License Agreement. 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. You may designate properties as "luxury real estate" based on your market and relevant market and competitive issues; provided however, that we have the right to require you to remove such designations in our sole discretion.
- (h) You shall not acquire, file, seek to register or otherwise obtain any registration or application for any Mark that consists of, incorporates, could reasonably be expected to be confusingly similar to or dilutive of, or is a variation of, any of the Marks;
- (i) You shall not use any of the Marks in any manner that does or could reasonably be expected to (i) dilute, impair or diminish the value or enforceability of any of the Marks, IP Owner's other intellectual property, or their respective associated goodwill, or (ii) allow any of the Licensed Marks to become generic or otherwise lose their distinctiveness;
- (j) You shall not take any action to challenge, contest, oppose, cancel or otherwise prejudice IP Owner or any of its affiliates' rights, title or interest in or to the Marks or the validity or enforceability of the Marks (or of any registration or application therefor), or assert any common law rights in the Marks;
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 54–177)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Christies International Real Estate FDD, quality standards are primarily detailed within the Operations Manual and the Brand Guidelines. These standards cover various aspects of the business, including the use of marks, marketing, and the types and amounts of insurance coverage required. The Operations Manual may also include territorial policies that Christies International Real Estate establishes or modifies.
Christies International Real Estate franchisees must adhere to specific requirements regarding the use of the CHRISTIE'S Marks, ensuring they are used in the correct phrase and font. Franchisees are also obligated to market the Marks as a leading luxury brand and cannot position other trademarks as being associated with more luxurious properties. Furthermore, franchisees must market, sell, or lease only "luxury real estate" and maintain an average selling price for properties as designated by Christies International Real Estate, as described further in the Operations Manual.
In addition to brand-specific standards, Christies International Real Estate requires franchisees to comply with all applicable laws, ordinances, and regulations, secure all necessary licenses and permits, and maintain required insurance coverage as detailed in the Operations Manual. The franchisor can increase minimum liability protection requirements and require different or additional kinds of insurance with prior written notice. Franchisees must also operate their business in a way that does not harm other Christies International Real Estate businesses or the goodwill associated with the Marks. These standards ensure that all franchisees maintain a consistent level of quality and protect the brand's reputation.