Is a City Publications franchisee required to provide notices of trademark and service mark registrations as specified by the Franchisor?
City_Publications Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
any assumed name or equivalent registration filed with state, city or county authorities which contains the name "CITY PUBLICATIONS" or any of the Marks, and Franchisee shall furnish Franchisor with evidence satisfactory to Franchisor of compliance with this obligation within thirty (30) days after termination or expiration of this Agreement.
Franchisee shall relinquish or transfer to Franchisor or its designee, at Franchisor's discretion, the Franchised Business telephone number and notify the telephone service provider and all listing agencies of the termination or expiration of Franchisee's rights to use any telephone number or any telephone directory listings associated with the "CITY PUBLICATIONS" name or any of the Marks and shall authorize transfer of the same to Franchisor or at Franchisor's direction.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 39–129)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to City Publications' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee must relinquish any assumed name or equivalent registration filed with state, city, or county authorities that contains the name "CITY PUBLICATIONS" or any of the Marks. The franchisee is required to provide City Publications with evidence of compliance within 30 days after the termination or expiration of the Franchise Agreement.
This requirement ensures that City Publications maintains control over its brand and trademarks. By requiring franchisees to relinquish any conflicting registrations, City Publications protects its brand identity and prevents potential confusion in the marketplace. This is a standard practice in franchising, as franchisors need to ensure consistent branding across all franchise locations.
Furthermore, upon termination or expiration of the agreement, the franchisee must transfer the Franchised Business telephone number to City Publications or its designee. They must also notify the telephone service provider and all listing agencies of the termination of their rights to use any telephone number or directory listings associated with the "CITY PUBLICATIONS" name or any of the Marks. This ensures a clean break and prevents the former franchisee from continuing to benefit from the City Publications brand after the agreement ends.