factual

Does City Publications specify how franchisees can use the copyrighted items?

City_Publications Franchise · 2025 FDD

Answer from 2025 FDD Document

ooperative advertising. Additionally, Franchisee may, with other franchisees, elect among themselves to establish cooperative advertising for a select area encompassing their mutual Exclusive territories.

C. Internet Advertising

Franchisor has established and maintains an Internet website at the uniform resource locator ("URL") www.citypublication.com that provides information about the CITY PUBLICATIONS System and the services that Franchisor and its franchisees provide. Franchisor shall establish a website for the Franchised Business and a link between such website and the CITY PUBLICATIONS website. Franchisee is solely responsible for the maintenance of the website for the Franchised Business. Franchisor may (but is not required to) include at the CITY PUBLICATIONS website an interior page containing information about the Franchised Business. If Franchisor includes such information on the CITY PUBLICATIONS website, Franchisor may require Franchisee to prepare all or a portion of the page, at Franchisee's expense, using a template that Franchisor provides. All such information shall be subject to Franchisor's approval prior to posting. Franchisor retains 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. Franchisee may be requested to provide Franchisor content for Franchisor's Internet marketing and shall be required to follow Franchisor's Intranet and Internet usage rules, policies and requirements. Franchisor 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, 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.

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 adhere to specific guidelines regarding the use of copyrighted materials, particularly online. City Publications retains sole rights to market on the Internet, including website use, domain names, URLs, linking, meta-tags, marketing, auction sites, e-commerce, and co-branding arrangements. Franchisees may be asked to provide content for City Publications' Internet marketing but must follow the franchisor's intranet and internet usage rules.

Specifically, franchisees cannot establish a website using domain names or URLs containing City Publications' marks or variations without prior written consent. City Publications retains the sole right to advertise online using its domain name or any other designated domain name, including those containing its marks. This control ensures brand consistency and protects City Publications' online presence.

If City Publications decides to modify or discontinue the use of any marks, franchisees must comply with these changes promptly. However, City Publications is not obligated to reimburse franchisees for expenses related to modifying or discontinuing the use of a mark, including any loss of goodwill or expenditures on promoting modified or substitute marks. This places the financial burden of these changes on the franchisee.

These stipulations are important for prospective franchisees to consider, as they highlight the limitations on their autonomy in online marketing and the potential costs associated with brand modifications directed by City Publications. Franchisees need to be aware of these restrictions and potential expenses to accurately assess the franchise opportunity.

Disclaimer: This information is extracted from the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document and is provided for research purposes only. It does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult with a franchise attorney before making any investment decisions.