Are there any pending infringement proceedings involving Circle K's patents or copyrights?
Circle_K Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
There are currently no effective determinations of the Copyright Office (Library of Congress), United States Patent and Trademark Office, Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences, or any court, or any pending infringement, opposition or cancellation proceeding or any pending material litigation involving any patents or copyrights. There are currently no agreements in effect that significantly limit our rights to use or license the use of any patents or copyrights in any manner material to the franchise. There are no infringing uses actually known to us that could materially affect your use of the patents or copyrights.
We are not obligated to protect you against infringement or unfair competition claims arising out of your use of any patents or copyrights, or to participate in your defense or indemnify you. We reserve the right to control any litigation related to any patents and copyrights and we have the sole right to decide to pursue or settle any infringement actions related to the patents or copyrights. You must notify us promptly of any infringement or unauthorized use of the patents or copyrights of which you become aware.
Source: Item 14 — PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION (FDD pages 76–77)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Circle K's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, there are currently no pending infringement, opposition, or cancellation proceedings, or any pending material litigation involving any patents or copyrights. Additionally, there are no effective determinations by the Copyright Office (Library of Congress), United States Patent and Trademark Office, or Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences.
This statement indicates that Circle K is not currently involved in any legal disputes regarding its patents or copyrights. For a potential franchisee, this suggests that the trademarks, service marks, trade names, logos, and commercial symbols are not subject to any known legal challenges that could disrupt their use in operating a Circle K franchise.
Furthermore, Circle K states that there are no agreements that significantly limit their rights to use or license the use of any patents or copyrights in any manner material to the franchise. They also state that there are no infringing uses actually known to them that could materially affect a franchisee's use of the patents or copyrights. However, Circle K is not obligated to protect a franchisee against infringement or unfair competition claims arising out of the use of any patents or copyrights, or to participate in their defense or indemnify them.