Does Circle K reserve the right to control any litigation related to any patents and copyrights?

According to Circle K's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Circle K and its affiliates retain the right to manage and resolve disputes with third parties concerning the trademarks. Franchisees must notify Circle K immediately if they become aware of any infringement or challenges to the use of Circle K's marks. Circle K has the right to take any action it deems appropriate in such situations.

Circle K is generally not required to defend franchisees against claims opposing their use of the marks, but franchisees can tender the defense of any trademark action to Circle K within 7 days of receiving it. Franchisees have the option to hire their own attorney to defend them, but they will be responsible for their own legal expenses. However, if a claim relates specifically to the franchisee's use of the marks in complete compliance with the franchise agreement, Circle K will defend the franchisee and indemnify them against any losses from the claim.

This means that Circle K maintains significant control over the trademarks and how they are defended. While franchisees have some autonomy to defend themselves, Circle K ultimately decides the course of action. This is a fairly standard practice in franchising, as franchisors need to protect their brand's intellectual property. Franchisees are prohibited from contesting Circle K's rights to the marks, trade secrets, or business system.