Who owns the Marks licensed to City Wide franchisees?
City_Wide Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
5.1 Franchisee acknowledges that CITY WIDE is the licensee of the Marks found in Attachment C to this Agreement**.** Franchisee further acknowledges that CITY WIDE has disclosed fully to Franchisee that the Marks licensed hereunder are owned by CITY WIDE FRANCHISE HOLDING COMPANY, INC., an affiliate (See Section 13.2) of CITY WIDE. Franchisee additionally acknowledges that CITY WIDE has disclosed fully to Franchisee that CITY WIDE has the exclusive right throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico, under its License Agreement with CITY WIDE FRANCHISE HOLDING COMPANY, INC., to sub-license the use of the Marks for use as outlined in this Agreement. Franchisee further acknowledges that Franchisee's right to use the Marks is derived solely from this Agreement and is limited to Franchisee's conduct of the Franchised Business under and in compliance with this Agreement and all applicable standards, specifications, and operating procedures CITY WIDE prescribes from time to time during the term of the franchise. Any unauthorized use of the Marks by Franchisee is a breach of this Agreement and an infringement of the rights of CITY WIDE in and to the Marks. Franchisee acknowledges that all Franchisee's usage of the Marks and any goodwill established by
Franchisee's use of the Marks will inure to the exclusive benefit of CITY WIDE and that this Agreement does not confer on Franchisee any goodwill or other interests in the Marks. Franchisee will not, at any time during the Term of this Agreement or after its termination or expiration, contest the validity or ownership of any of the Marks or assist any other person in contesting the validity or ownership of any of the Marks. All provisions of this Agreement applicable to the Marks also apply to any additional trademarks, service marks, and commercial symbols CITY WIDE authorizes Franchisee to use during the Term of this Agreement.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 65)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to City Wide's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, City Wide is the licensee of the marks, but the marks are owned by City Wide Franchise Holding Company, Inc., which is an affiliate of City Wide. City Wide has the exclusive right to sub-license the use of the marks throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico, according to its license agreement with City Wide Franchise Holding Company, Inc.
As a City Wide franchisee, your right to use the marks is derived solely from the franchise agreement and is limited to conducting the franchised business in compliance with the agreement and City Wide's standards and operating procedures. Any unauthorized use of the marks constitutes a breach of the agreement and an infringement of City Wide's rights. All goodwill established through your use of the marks will benefit City Wide exclusively, and the agreement does not grant you any goodwill or other interests in the marks.
During and after the term of the franchise agreement, you cannot contest the validity or ownership of the marks or assist others in doing so. All provisions of the agreement applicable to the marks also apply to any additional trademarks, service marks, and commercial symbols that City Wide authorizes you to use during the term of the agreement. This means City Wide maintains control over its brand identity, and franchisees must adhere to their guidelines to ensure consistency and quality across all franchise locations.