Are there any exceptions to City Publications' copyright claims?
City_Publications Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
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
Source: Item 14 — PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION (FDD page 25)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to City Publications' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, City Publications retains sole rights to use its trademarks on the Internet. City Publications maintains a website, and while franchisees may be requested to provide content for the franchisor's internet marketing, franchisees must adhere to City Publications' intranet and internet usage rules.
City Publications retains the sole right to approve any linking or other use of the City Publications website. The franchisee cannot establish a presence. This indicates that while franchisees may contribute content, City Publications maintains control over its online presence and brand representation, including the use of trademarks, domain names, and marketing arrangements.
For franchisees in Maryland and Washington, there are specific addenda that address potential conflicts of law. In Maryland, the addendum states that to the extent required by the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law, Maryland law shall prevail over Georgia law in the event of a conflict. Similarly, for franchisees in Washington, the Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act may supersede the franchise agreement, including areas of termination and renewal.