What are 'Licensed Marks' for the Cordova franchise?
Cordova Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
ness**
We license a system (the "System") for the operation of a Cordova business (each, a "Franchised Business" or "Cordova Business") that provides short-term and long-term IT staffing solutions, executive placement, software consulting, and related services and products (the "Approved Services and Products"). The System also features and requires, as designated by us, your exclusive use of software, systems, products, supplies, equipment, and materials that we designate (the "System Supplies"). The System is identified by the Cordova trademark and such other trademarks, logos, and trade-dress that we may designate, modify or adopt from time to time and as same may or may not be registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (collectively, the "Licensed Marks"). You must develop and operate your Cordova Business in conformity with the specifications, procedures, criteria, and requirements that we designate in our confidential operations manual and other proprietary manuals that we designate and as we may supplement and modify from time to time (collectively, the "Manuals"). From time to time, we may modify, add to or discontinue our designated Approved Services and Products, System Supplies, and/or our specifications, methods and procedures for the service, marketing and sale of Approved Services and Products.
Your Cordova Business must be managed from a commercial office that supports the administrative management and day-to-day operations of the Franchised Business (an "Administrative Office"). Your Administrative Office must meet our standards and specifications, be located within your operating territory, and be approved by us.
Franchise Agreement
You may enter into a Franchise Agreement in the form attached to this Disclosure Document as Exhibit E to develop and operate a Cordova Business within an operating territory in conformity with the requirements of our System. At the time of signing the Franchise Agreement we will designate a geographic area comprising your operating territory. Your right to use the System will be limited to offering and providing our Approved Services and Products within your operating territory using only our System Supplies, the Licensed Marks and the specifications and requirements set forth in our Manuals and as otherwise constituting a part of our System.
Our Affiliates
Cordova Enterprises, Inc.
Our affiliate Cordova Enterprises, Inc. is a Nebraska corporation established on April 26, 2011. This affiliate maintains a principal business address at 6767 Maple Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68104. This affiliate operates a
Cordova Business similar to the Franchised Business in Omaha, Nebraska. You will not conduct business directly with this affiliate. This affiliate has not in the past and does not now offer franchises in any lines of business.
Cordova IP, LLC
Our affiliate Cordova IP, LLC is a Nebraska limited liability company established on February 6, 2025.
Source: Item 1 — THE FRANCHISOR AND ANY PARENTS, PREDECESSORS AND AFFILIATES (FDD pages 7–9)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Cordova's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the 'Licensed Marks' encompass the Cordova trademark, along with any other trademarks, logos, and trade dress that Cordova may designate, modify, or adopt over time. These marks may or may not be registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. As a franchisee, you are required to use these Licensed Marks as part of the System when offering and providing approved services and products within your designated operating territory.
The Franchise Disclosure Document emphasizes that your right to use the Cordova System is specifically tied to using the Licensed Marks, System Supplies, and adhering to the specifications outlined in Cordova's manuals. This means that you must consistently present the brand according to Cordova's standards, which can evolve.
Cordova IP, LLC, an affiliate of Cordova established on February 6, 2025, is the owner of the Licensed Marks. While franchisees won't conduct business directly with Cordova IP, LLC, it's important to recognize that this entity controls the intellectual property you'll be using. This arrangement is typical in franchising, where a separate entity often manages the brand's trademarks and other intellectual property assets.