Is the franchisee allowed to use City Publications' copyrighted materials after the franchise agreement terminates?
City_Publications Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
randing and other arrangements, as well as social media and any digital marketing platform, Franchisor retains the sole right to approve any linking or other use of the CITY PUBLICATIONS website. Franchisee may not establish a presence
on, or market using, the Internet, including social media, in connection with the Franchised Business unless Franchisee has obtained Franchisor's express prior written consent and subject to Franchisor's specifications in connection with the same. With regard to any social media accounts maintained by Franchisee or its principal owners, such accounts shall identify Franchisee and its principal owner(s) as franchisees of Franchisor herein, Upon the termination or expiration of this Franchise Agreement, all social media activities of Franchisee relating to City Publications, whether on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram , LinkedIn, NextDoor or otherwise, shall immediately cease. In the event that Franchisee fails to do so, Franchisee shall be fined $1000 per month until resolved. In the event Franchisor approves an independent Franchisee website, Franchisor may require that such site shall be accessed only through Franchisor's home page.
D. Internet Communications
Franchisee shall not use any domain name or other identification except the domain name provided by the Franchisor for e-mail and other electronic communications for the franchise. All materials provided by the franchisee to the advertisers and prospects must meet the criteria set by the Franchisor. Any advertising via e-mail must be approved by the Franchisor. It is further agreed that from time to time, Franchisee may receive email addresses of residents within Franchisee's Exclusive Territory. It is agreed that any such list of those email addresses belongs to Franchisor, and Franchisee may not make any use of such list or addresses without the express approval of Franchisor. Franchisor has the right to require that any email blast or similar communication to such persons be done by the Franchisor, on behalf of the Franchisee, and the Franchisor will be compensated by Franchisee in accordance with Franchisor's fee arrangements for such services
SECTION 12. BOOKS & RECORDS
A. Requirement to Maintain
During the term of this Agreement, Franchisee shall maintain and preserve for the time period specified in the Manual, full, complete and accurate books, records and accounts in accordance with the accounting standards prescribed by Franchisor in the Manual or otherwise in writing.
Source: Item 14 — PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION (FDD page 25)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to City Publications' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must cease all social media activities related to City Publications upon termination or expiration of the Franchise Agreement. This includes platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, LinkedIn, and NextDoor. Failure to comply results in a fine of $1000 per month until the issue is resolved.
Additionally, franchisees are restricted from using any domain name other than the one provided by City Publications for email and electronic communications. All materials provided to advertisers and prospects must meet the criteria set by City Publications, and any email advertising requires franchisor approval. Email lists of residents within the franchisee's exclusive territory belong to City Publications, and the franchisee cannot use them without express approval. City Publications can require that email communications to these residents be done by the franchisor on behalf of the franchisee, with compensation to City Publications based on their fee arrangements.
Upon termination or expiration of the franchise agreement, the franchisee must also discontinue using the City Publications name and marks. The franchisee is required to relinquish or transfer the franchised business telephone number to City Publications and notify all relevant service providers and listing agencies of the termination of their rights to use any telephone number or directory listings associated with City Publications. The franchisee must provide evidence of compliance with these obligations within 30 days after termination or expiration of the agreement.