Is a Crowne Plaza franchisee allowed to register any of the Marks as part of any domain name or URL?
Crowne_Plaza Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You may not register any of the Marks (defined in Item 13), as part of any domain name or Uniform Resource Locator ("URL"), and/or display or use any of the marks or other intellectual property rights related to the Brand System or to any of the other brands licensed by Holiday in connection with any web site, without Holiday's advance written approval. You must comply with all of Holiday's web site requirements in connection with any web sites you develop and maintain relating to your Hotel. The License does not otherwise limit the channels through which you may solicit customers for your Hotel.
Source: Item 12 — Territory (FDD pages 81–82)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Crowne Plaza Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are not permitted to register any of the brand's marks as part of an internet domain name or URL. Additionally, franchisees cannot display or use any of the marks or other intellectual property rights related to the Brand System in connection with any website without advance written approval from Holiday.
This restriction ensures that Crowne Plaza maintains control over its brand identity and online presence. By preventing franchisees from independently registering domain names with the brand's marks, Crowne Plaza can ensure consistency and prevent any potential misuse or misrepresentation of the brand online. This is a common practice in franchising, as franchisors need to protect their trademarks and brand reputation.
Franchisees are required to comply with all of Holiday's website requirements in connection with any websites they develop and maintain for their hotel. While franchisees can solicit customers through various channels, they must adhere to Holiday's guidelines for any web presence associated with the Crowne Plaza brand. This includes obtaining advance written approval before promoting or implementing any website related to their hotel. This policy helps Crowne Plaza maintain a uniform and professional online image across all franchise locations.