Has the intellectual property of Craters & Freighters been filed for registration with the USPTO?
Craters_Freighters Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
ITEM 13 TRADEMARKS
The Franchise Agreement grants you the right to use our logo and trademarks ("Marks"). This intellectual property has been filed for registration, and trademarks have been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office ("USPTO"). We have filed or intend to file all required affidavits and renewals for the trademarks listed below.
| Mark | Registration Number | Registration Date | Register | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6,735,881 | May 24, 2022 | Principal | ||
| CRATERS & FREIGHTERS | 1,744,835 | January 5, 1993 Renewed: August 6, 2012 | Principal | We may also use a number of additional unregistered, common law trademarks, including the following: |
| Mark | Application Filing Date | Status | Serial No. | |---|---|---|---| | EXPERTISE THAT DELIVERS | N/A | COMMON LAW | N/A | We do not have a federal registration for the trademark identified in the table above. Therefore, this trademark does not have many legal benefits and rights as a federally registered trademark. If our right to use this trademark is challenged, you may have to change to an alternative trademark, which may increase your expenses.
Source: Item 13 — TRADEMARKS (FDD pages 32–34)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Craters & Freighters' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchise agreement grants franchisees the right to use Craters & Freighters' logo and trademarks. The FDD states that this intellectual property has been filed for registration, and trademarks have been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Craters & Freighters also states that they have filed or intend to file all required affidavits and renewals for the trademarks listed.
The FDD lists specific trademarks, their registration numbers, and registration dates. For example, the trademark "CRATERS & FREIGHTERS" has registration number 1,744,835, was initially registered on January 5, 1993, and renewed on August 6, 2012. This trademark is registered on the Principal Register. Another trademark is listed with registration number 6,735,881 and a registration date of May 24, 2022, also on the Principal Register.
However, Craters & Freighters also uses unregistered, common law trademarks. One such trademark, "EXPERTISE THAT DELIVERS," has no application filing date or serial number and is designated as "COMMON LAW." The FDD indicates that Craters & Freighters does not have a federal registration for all trademarks, which means those trademarks may not have as many legal benefits and rights as a federally registered trademark. If the right to use an unregistered trademark is challenged, franchisees may have to change to an alternative trademark, potentially increasing expenses. Prospective franchisees should be aware of the distinction between registered and unregistered trademarks and the potential implications for their business.