Under what conditions can Customer withhold or delay approval of trademark use for Crowne Plaza?
Crowne_Plaza Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
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- TRADEMARKS. Neither Customer nor Company will make use of the other's trademarks or logos (either alone or in conjunction with their or another party's trademarks or logos) without the prior written consent of that party, and Customer will not make use of any of the Bottler's trademarks or logos (either alone or in conjunction with their or another party's trademarks or logos) without the prior written consent of the Bottler, and all use of the other party's trademarks will inure to the benefit of trademark owner. For purposes of this Agreement, Company's and Customer's trademarks include trademarks owned, licensed to or controlled by an entity in which Company or Customer, respectively, has a 50% or more ownership interest. Each Party agrees that its approval will not be withheld or delayed unless (i) Customer determines that a Customer Mark has been used incorrectly for technical reasons (i.e., lack of trademark conformity) or (ii) Customer reasonably determines that the proposed activity or use would reflect negatively on Customer or the Participating System Hotels.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 100–424)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Crowne Plaza FDD, there are specific conditions under which a customer can withhold or delay approval of trademark use. The agreement stipulates that neither the customer nor the company (Crowne Plaza) can use each other's trademarks or logos without prior written consent. Furthermore, the customer cannot use any of the bottler's trademarks or logos without the bottler's prior written consent. All usage of the other party's trademarks will benefit the trademark owner.
For the purposes of the agreement, the trademarks of Crowne Plaza and the customer include those owned, licensed, or controlled by an entity in which either party has a 50% or greater ownership interest. Approval for trademark use can be withheld or delayed if the customer determines that a Customer Mark has been used incorrectly for technical reasons, such as a lack of trademark conformity.
Additionally, approval can be withheld or delayed if the customer reasonably determines that the proposed activity or use would reflect negatively on the customer or the Participating System Hotels. This provision ensures that the customer has the right to protect its brand image and reputation by preventing the misuse or inappropriate association of its trademarks.