Is the Trademark License Agreement that Christies International Real Estate uses confidential?
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 Trademark License Agreement contains confidential information. The FDD defines "Confidential Information" as methods, techniques, data, formats, marketing and promotional techniques, specifications, 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.
Christies International Real Estate franchisees acknowledge that they do not acquire any ownership interest in this confidential information, but only the right to use it for their business operations under the agreement. The FDD states that using or duplicating this confidential information for any other business would be considered an unfair method of competition.
However, information that is already generally known to the public is excluded from the definition of Confidential Information, unless the franchisee discloses it. Franchisees must also obtain written consent from Christies International Real Estate before making any press releases or public announcements about the agreement, ensuring confidentiality is maintained.