Does the City Publications franchisee have the right to market on the Internet without permission?
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. Franchisee shall retain during the term of this Agreement, and for three (3) years thereafter, all books and records related to the Franchised Business including, without limitation, invoices, purchase orders, payroll records, sales tax records, state and federal income tax returns, cash receipts, disbursement journals, general ledgers and any other financial records designated by Franchisor or as required by law.
**B.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 39–129)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 City Publications Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must obtain express prior written consent from City Publications to market on the Internet, including social media. This consent is also subject to City Publications' specifications. Franchisees must identify themselves and their principal owners as City Publications franchisees on any social media accounts they maintain. Upon termination or expiration of the franchise agreement, all social media activities related to City Publications must cease immediately. Failure to do so results in a fine of $1000 per month until resolved.
City Publications retains the sole right to market on the Internet, including websites, domain names, URLs, linking, meta-tags, marketing, auction sites, e-commerce, and co-branding arrangements. City Publications also retains the sole right to use the Marks on the Internet, including on websites, as domain names, directory addresses, search terms, meta-tags, and in connection with linking, marketing, cobranding and other arrangements, as well as social media and any digital marketing platform. Franchisees may be requested to provide content for City Publications' Internet marketing and must follow City Publications' Intranet and Internet usage rules, policies, and requirements.
Franchisees cannot establish an Internet site using a domain name or URL containing any of the Marks or the words "CITY PUBLICATIONS" without prior written consent from City Publications. If City Publications approves an independent Franchisee website, City Publications may require that such site be accessed only through City Publications' home page. Franchisees must use the domain name provided by City Publications for email and other electronic communications. All materials provided to advertisers and prospects must meet City Publications' criteria, and any advertising via email must be approved by City Publications.