factual

What is the scope of a Christies International Real Estate franchisee's right to use the Marks?

Christies_International_Real_Estate Franchise · 2025 FDD

Answer from 2025 FDD Document

rial policies that we establish or modify from time to time. You may not establish or operate any CHRISTIE'S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE office outside the Protected Territory, unless we permit you to do so under a separate broker Affiliate license agreement. You may not subfranchise or sublicense any of your rights under this Agreement.

  • 1.2.1 Subject to Section 1.2.2 below, we and our affiliates, and our and their respective licensees, franchisees, and Affiliates, as well as our agents and the agents of any of these parties, have the right (without compensation to you) to offer and sell real estate brokerage services under the Marks to clients located within the Protected Territory and for real estate located within the Protected Territory, as long as the real estate brokerage services are offered and sold from offices of CHRISTIE'S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE businesses outside of the Protected Territory. In turn, and also subject to Section 1.2.2 below, you and your agents have the right to offer and sell real estate brokerage services under the Marks to clients located outside the Protected Territory and for real estate located outside the Protected Territory but only inside the United States (including Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and other U.S. territories), as its borders exist on the Effective Date, so long as the real estate brokerage services are offered and sold from the Main Office and any authorized Additional Office. However, you acknowledge and agree: (1) that your rights outside your Protected Territory may be limited based on territorial grants or protections that we or our affiliates have granted to other Affiliates or other third parties, and (2) that the scope of your rights outside of your Protected Territory may be modified by us from time to time, and are subject to the territorial policies that we establish or modify from time to time in the Operations Manual.

  • 1.2.2. If you and your agents are licensed, as prescribed by law, to provide real estate brokerage services in an area where another licensee, franchisee or Affiliate has been granted a protected territory by us ("Other Area") but their grant does not prevent others from offering real estate brokerage services under the Marks in the Other Area, so long as you do not exceed 5% of your inventory (as measured by the number of properties) at any given time, you may list properties for sale using the Marks in the Other Area so long as they are listed from your Main Office or Additional Office. If your properties listed in the Other Area exceeds 5% of your inventory and, upon notice from us, you do not cease such listings promptly, you will be in default, and we can terminate the Agreement. Conversely, to the extent another licensee, franchisee, Affiliate, or its agents, are licensed as prescribed by law, to provide real estate brokerage services in your Protected Territory, we will use commercially reasonable efforts to limit such party from listing more than 5% of its inventory of properties using the Marks in your Protected Territory, assuming such party has not been granted unlimited rights by us. However, we have no obligation to enforce this provision against such other parties.

  • 1.2.3 Except for the limitations described in this Section, you acknowledge and agree that you do not have any right to exclude, control or impose conditions on our development of future licensed, franchised, company or affiliate-owned CHRISTIE'S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE businesses, or other company owned businesses at any time or at any location.

  • 1.3. Rights Reserved to Us. We reserve (for ourselves and our affiliates) reserve all rights to engage in all activities associated with CHRISTIES INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE Marks, and all rights to engage in any business, licensing, franchising, or other activities associated with other brands, marks, and real estate brokerage systems, anywhere in the world, not specifically granted to you under this Agreement or expressly prohibited under this Agreement, or expressly prohibited from us engaging in under this Agreement. Without limiting the preceding sentence, we (for ourselves and our affiliates) specifically reserve the right, from any location at any time, without any compensation to you or any other Affiliate and regardless of whether it competes with the Business, the following rights:

  • (a) To own and operate, and grant licenses or franchises to others to own and operate, CHRISTIE'S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE offices outside of the Protected Territory;

  • (b) To own and operate, and grant licenses or franchises to others to own and operate, any business of any kind (other than an office located within your Protected Territory selling the same services as a CHRISTIE'S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE businesses) under the Marks at any locations within or outside of your Protected Territory, including by electronic means such as the Internet, applications, by websites we may establish, catalog sales, telemarketing, or other direct marketing sales;

Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 54–177)

What This Means (2025 FDD)

According to Christies International Real Estate's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee's right to use the brand's Marks is subject to specific territorial and usage guidelines. Christies International Real Estate grants franchisees a non-exclusive license to operate their business under its Marks from an approved Main Office within a Protected Territory. Franchisees can offer and sell real estate brokerage services under the Marks to clients located outside their Protected Territory but only inside the United States, including Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and other U.S. territories, as long as these services are offered and sold from the Main Office or any authorized Additional Office. However, these rights outside the Protected Territory may be limited due to territorial grants or protections given to other affiliates or third parties and may be modified by Christies International Real Estate.

Christies International Real Estate also reserves significant rights for itself and its affiliates. These include the right to engage in any activities associated with the Christies International Real Estate Marks and to engage in any business, licensing, or franchising activities associated with other brands and real estate brokerage systems, anywhere in the world, that are not specifically granted to the franchisee or expressly prohibited in the agreement. Christies International Real Estate retains the right to operate or franchise Christies International Real Estate offices outside the Protected Territory and to operate any business under the Marks, including through electronic means, within or outside the Protected Territory.

Christies International Real Estate franchisees must adhere to additional obligations to maintain brand standards. Franchisees cannot represent that they own any of the Marks and must only use the Marks in the phrase "CHRISTIE'S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE." The Marks must be used in combination with other marks as specified in the agreement and must be marketed as a leading luxury brand. Franchisees must not associate other trademarks with more luxurious services or properties than those offered under the Christies International Real Estate Marks. The rights are contingent on marketing and selling only "luxury real estate" and maintaining an average selling price designated by Christies International Real Estate, as defined in the Operations Manual.

These stipulations ensure brand consistency and prevent conflicts between franchisees and the franchisor. A prospective Christies International Real Estate franchisee should carefully consider these limitations and obligations to fully understand the scope of their rights and responsibilities regarding the use of the Christies International Real Estate Marks. It is important to review the Operations Manual and any territorial policies to understand the specific restrictions and guidelines that may apply to their franchise.

Disclaimer: This information is extracted from the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document and is provided for research purposes only. It does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult with a franchise attorney before making any investment decisions.