Are there any effective determinations from the Copyright Office regarding Circle K's copyrights?
Circle_K Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
There are currently no effective material determinations by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, the trademark administrator of any state, or any court, or any pending infringement, opposition, or cancellation proceedings, or any pending material litigation involving the Marks in the United States. No agreements limit either TMC's or our affiliates' rights to use or license others to use the Marks.
You must use the Marks only in the manner set forth in the Convenience Store Franchise Agreement, Motor Fuel Agreement, Branding Agreement, Business Systems Manuals, and Motor Fuel Business Systems Manual, and as specified periodically by us. We have the right to modify or discontinue use of any Mark or to use one or more additional or substitute names or Marks, and you must comply, at your expense, with our directions with respect to these changes. We may, however, reimburse you for certain expenses where such changes result from an adverse third-party claim or a court decision. You may not use any of the Marks as part of your corporate, partnership or other legal entity name.
You must notify us immediately if you learn about an infringement of or challenge to your use of our Marks. We have the right to take whatever action we believe is, in our judgment, appropriate. TMC and our affiliates have the right to manage and resolve disputes with third parties concerning the Marks. Except as noted below, we are not required to defend you against any claim opposing your use of the Marks. You may tender the defense of any trademark action to us within 7 days after you receive it. You can hire your own attorney to defend you in this action, but you must pay your own legal expenses. If any claim relates just to your use of the Marks in complete compliance with your Convenience Store Franchise Agreement, Motor Fuel Agreement and/or Branding Agreement, we will defend you against any such claim and will protect, indemnify, and hold you harmless from any loss from this claim. You may not contest our rights to the Marks, trade secrets, or our proprietary and distinctive business system.
Source: Item 14 — PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION (FDD pages 76–77)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Circle K Franchise Disclosure Document, there are no effective material determinations by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, the trademark administrator of any state, or any court, involving the Circle K marks in the United States. This suggests that Circle K's trademarks are not currently subject to any significant legal challenges or disputes that could materially affect a franchisee's use of those marks.
Circle K's parent company, Circle K Stores Inc., owns the Circle K Marks. These marks are licensed to TMC under an agreement dated March 30, 2009, with successive one-year terms. Circle K Stores Inc. can terminate the license if TMC fails to meet quality usage standards after a 30-day cure period. Franchisees are only allowed to use the Marks as authorized by Circle K, following the terms outlined in the franchise agreements.
Circle K retains the right to modify or discontinue any Mark, or to use additional or substitute names or Marks. Franchisees must comply with these changes at their own expense, although Circle K may reimburse certain expenses if the changes result from an adverse third-party claim or court decision. Franchisees must immediately notify Circle K of any infringement or challenge to the use of the Marks, and Circle K has the right to take appropriate action. Franchisees cannot use any of the Marks as part of their legal entity name and may not contest Circle K's rights to the Marks or business system.