Is the Trademark License Agreement confidential for Christies International Real Estate?
Christies_International_Real_Estate Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
ame 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.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 54–177)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Christies International Real Estate FDD, the Broker Affiliate License Agreement contains confidentiality clauses. Specifically, the FDD defines "Confidential Information" as methods, techniques, information, data, formats, marketing and promotional techniques and procedures, specifications, information, systems, software, and knowledge related to operating and franchising Christies International Real Estate businesses. This includes the Operations Manual, Brand Guidelines, and the terms of the Broker Affiliate License Agreement itself. Franchisees acknowledge they only have the right to use this information for their Christies International Real Estate business and that using or duplicating it for any other business is considered unfair competition.
Christies International Real Estate emphasizes that franchisees do not acquire any ownership interest in the Confidential Information beyond the right to use it within the scope of their franchise agreement. This underscores the franchisor's control over its proprietary business methods and brand standards. Franchisees are prohibited from disclosing any information about the agreement without written consent from Christies International Real Estate.
However, franchisees may retain Confidential Information for legal, tax, and insurance purposes, but this information remains subject to the confidentiality restrictions outlined in the Broker Affiliate License Agreement. This allows franchisees to meet their compliance obligations while still protecting Christies International Real Estate's confidential business information. This balance is typical in franchise agreements, where franchisors need to protect their intellectual property while allowing franchisees enough access to run their businesses effectively.