Who retains the sole right to use the Marks on the Internet for City Publications?
City_Publications Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
We retain the sole right to market on the Internet, including all use of websites, domain names, URL's linking, meta-tags, marketing, auction sites, e-commerce and co-branding arrangements. You may be required to provide content for our Internet marketing. You must follow our intranet and Internet usage rules, policies and requirements. We retain 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, digital marketing, social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and any co-branding and other arrangements. We retain the sole right to approve any linking or other use of our website. You may not establish a presence on, or market using, the Internet for the Franchised Business unless you first obtain our consent. If we approve your independent website, we may require that your site may only be accessed through our home page.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND TRAINING (FDD pages 19–24)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to City Publications' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, City Publications retains the sole right to use its Marks on the Internet. This includes using the Marks on websites, as domain names, directory addresses, search terms, and meta-tags. City Publications also controls the use of its Marks in connection with linking, marketing, digital marketing, and social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, as well as any co-branding and other arrangements.
This means that as a City Publications franchisee, you must obtain consent from City Publications before establishing a presence or marketing the Franchised Business on the Internet. If City Publications approves an independent website for your franchise, it may require that the site only be accessed through the City Publications home page.
This level of control is common in franchising, as it allows the franchisor to maintain brand consistency and quality control across all online platforms. It also ensures that the brand's reputation is protected and that customers have a consistent experience regardless of which franchisee they interact with online. Franchisees should adhere to City Publications' internet usage rules, policies, and requirements.