What is the scope of the Marks that the City Publications franchisee must cease using upon termination?
City_Publications Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
"Marks" mean the trademark "CITY PUBLICATIONS" and other trade names, trademarks, service marks, designs, graphics, logos and other commercial symbols as Franchisor may designate and not thereafter withdraw to be used in connection with the Franchised Business;
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.
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.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 39–129)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to City Publications' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, upon termination or expiration of the franchise agreement, a franchisee must discontinue the use of specific identifiers associated with the City Publications brand. These include the trademark "CITY PUBLICATIONS" itself, along with other trade names, trademarks, service marks, designs, graphics, logos, and other commercial symbols that City Publications designates for use in connection with the franchised business.
Specifically, the franchisee must discontinue using 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 satisfactory evidence of compliance with this obligation within 30 days after the termination or expiration of the agreement. This ensures a clean break and prevents any potential confusion or misuse of the City Publications brand by the former franchisee.
Furthermore, the franchisee must relinquish or transfer to City Publications the franchised business telephone number and notify the telephone service provider and all listing agencies of the termination or expiration of the franchisee's rights to use any telephone number or any telephone directory listings associated with the "CITY PUBLICATIONS" name or any of the Marks. They must also authorize the transfer of these assets to City Publications or its designee. Additionally, all social media activities of the franchisee relating to City Publications, whether on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn, must cease immediately upon termination or expiration of the Franchise Agreement. Failure to do so can result in a fine of $1000 per month until resolved. These measures collectively protect City Publications' brand identity and prevent unauthorized representation after the franchise relationship ends.