factual

How may I use the licensed marks as a Deck Medic franchisee?

Deck_Medic Franchise · 2024 FDD

Answer from 2024 FDD Document

the Franchised Business.

ITEM 13 TRADEMARKS

Under the terms of the Franchise Agreement, you will be granted a license to use the "Deck Medic" trademark and those other marks identified in the chart below in connection with the operations of the Franchised Business. We reserve the right to supplement and modify the marks that you may or may not use in connection with the operations of your Deck Medic Business. You may only use the Licensed Marks as authorized by us in writing and under the terms of your Franchise Agreement. You may not use the Licensed Marks in the name of any Corporate Entity that you establish.

Principal Trademarks Registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office

The following principal Licensed Marks are registered on the Principal Register of the United States Patent and Trademark Office ("USPTO"). As to each of these marks, the appropriate affidavits have been filed with the USPTO.

Mark USPTO Registration Number Registration Type Registration Date
Deck Medic® 5037787 1A September 6, 2016
(our
first
renewal
was
filed
on
February 8, 2022)
5224100 1A June 13, 2017
(our
first
renewal
was filed on June 16,
2022)

There are no currently effective material determinations of the USPTO, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board and/or the trademark administrator in any state or any court; no pending infringement, opposition or cancellation proceedings; and no pending litigation involving the Licensed Marks. We know of no superior rights or infringing uses that could materially affect your use of the Licensed Marks or other related rights in any state.

You are required to provide us with written notice of any claims that you may become aware of respecting the Licensed Marks, including your use of the Licensed Marks and/or any claim associated with a third party's use of a trademark that is identical or confusingly similar to the Licensed Marks. We maintain the exclusive discretion to take any and all actions, or to refrain from any action, that we believe to be appropriate in response to any trademark infringement, challenge or claim. As between us, we possess the sole right to exclusively control any and all litigation, legal proceedings, administrative proceedings and/or settlement(s) involving any actual or alleged infringement, challenge or claim relating to the Licensed Marks. You must sign all documents, instruments and agreements and undertake the actions that we, with the advice of our legal counsel, determine to be necessary or advisable for the protection and/or maintenance of our interests in the Licensed Marks in any legal proceeding, administrative proceeding or as may be otherwise determined by us. As to the foregoing, we will reimburse you for the reasonable out-of-pocket administrative expenses that you incur and pay in complying with our written instructions.

We will protect your right to use the Licensed Marks and other related rights and protect you against claims of infringement and unfair competition related to the Licensed Marks, provided that you use the Licensed Marks in accordance with the terms of your Franchise Agreement, as designated by us in the Manuals, and otherwise, as we instruct you. We will indemnify you against direct damages for trademark infringement in a proceeding arising out of your use of the Licensed Marks, provided your use of the Licensed Marks comply with the terms of your Franchise Agreement, the Manuals, our written instructions, and that you have timely notified us of the claim, have

given us sole control of the defense and settlement of the claim, and you are in compliance with your Franchise Agreement. If we defend the claim, we have no obligation to indemnify or reimburse you with respect to any fees or disbursements of any attorney that you retain.

Source: Item 13 — TRADEMARKS (FDD pages 32–33)

What This Means (2024 FDD)

According to Deck Medic's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, as a franchisee, you are granted a license to use the "Deck Medic" trademark and other identified marks in connection with operating your franchised business. However, Deck Medic retains the right to modify these marks. Your use of the licensed marks must be authorized in writing by Deck Medic and comply with the terms of the Franchise Agreement. You are prohibited from using the licensed marks in the name of any corporate entity you establish. The FDD lists the principal trademarks registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). These include "Deck Medic®" with registration number 5037787, registered on September 6, 2016, and registration number 5224100, registered on June 13, 2017.

Deck Medic requires you to provide written notice of any claims regarding the licensed marks, including your use or any third-party use of similar trademarks. Deck Medic maintains exclusive discretion over any action taken in response to trademark infringement, challenges, or claims. You must sign documents and undertake actions deemed necessary by Deck Medic, with legal counsel, to protect their interests in the licensed marks. Deck Medic will reimburse you for reasonable out-of-pocket administrative expenses incurred while complying with their written instructions.

Deck Medic will protect your right to use the licensed marks and defend against infringement claims, provided you adhere to the Franchise Agreement, manuals, and written instructions. You will be indemnified against direct damages for trademark infringement arising from your compliant use of the licensed marks, provided you notify Deck Medic of the claim promptly and allow them sole control of the defense and settlement. If Deck Medic defends the claim, they are not obligated to cover your attorney's fees. If a third party establishes superior rights to the marks, Deck Medic will modify or replace the licensed marks, and you must use the revised marks as directed. Deck Medic's sole obligation is to reimburse your direct out-of-pocket costs for compliance, such as signage alterations and marketing material replacements.

Disclaimer: This information is extracted from the 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document and is provided for research purposes only. It does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult with a franchise attorney before making any investment decisions.