factual

Are there any pending legal proceedings involving the use and ownership of Degree Wellness's trademarks?

Degree_Wellness Franchise · 2025 FDD

Answer from 2025 FDD Document

he PTO in connection with these marks. Franchisor intends to work with licensor to renew the registration at the times required by law.

We do not know of other superior prior rights or infringing uses that could materially affect your use of the Marks in any state. However, it is possible that the Marks have been used by others;

and we cannot represent with certainty that we have exclusive or superior rights to the Marks in all geographic areas.

There are no currently effective material determinations of the PTO, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, the trademark administrator of any state, or any court. Other than stated above, there are no pending infringement, opposition, or cancellation proceedings or material federal or state litigation involving the use and ownership of any of our trademarks. Other than stated above, no agreement significantly limits our right to use or license the Marks in a manner material to your Studio franchise.

Your right to use the Marks is derived solely from your Franchise Agreement, and is limited to your conduct of business in compliance with the Franchise Agreement and all applicable specifications, standards, and operating procedures we prescribe during the term of your franchise, including, without limitation, timely payment of the Initial Franchise Fee, Continuing Franchise Fees, Fund contributions, and all other sums due to us. Any unauthorized use of the Marks by you will constitute an infringement of our rights in and to the Marks. Your use of the Marks and any goodwill established by them will be for our exclusive benefit, and your Franchise Agreement does not confer any goodwill or other interests in the Marks upon you. All provisions of your Franchise Agreement applicable to the Marks will apply to any additional proprietary trade and service marks and commercial symbols authorized for use by, and licensed to you under, your Franchise Agreement. You may not at any time during or after the term of your franchise contest, or assist any other person in contesting, the validity or ownership of any of the Marks.

You must use the Marks as the sole identification of your franchise, but must also identify yourself as the independent owner of the franchise in the manner we prescribe. You may not use any Mark as part of any corporate or trade name, or with any prefix, suffix, or other modifying words, terms, designs or symbols, or in any modified form. You also may not use any Mark with the sale of any unauthorized service, to promote any business or commercial venture other than your Studio franchise, or in any manner we have not expressly authorized in writing. You must prominently display the Marks on or with franchise posters and displays, service contracts, stationery, other forms we designate, and in the manner we prescribe; to give any notices of trade and service mark registrations and copyrights that we specify; and to obtain any fictitious or assumed name registrations that may be required under applicable law.

You must immediately notify us of any apparent use of, or claims of rights to a trademark identical to or confusingly similar to the Marks. You may not communicate with any person other than us and our counsel about the apparent infringement, challenge, or claim. We and our affiliates will have sole discretion to take any affirmative action as we deem appropriate in, and the exclusive right to control any litigation or PTO or other proceeding arising out of any apparent infringement, challenge, or claim, or otherwise relating to any Mark.

Source: Item 13 — Trademarks (FDD pages 45–47)

What This Means (2025 FDD)

According to Degree Wellness's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, there are no currently effective material determinations by the PTO (Patent and Trademark Office), the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, or any court regarding the use and ownership of their trademarks. The FDD states that, other than what is explicitly mentioned in Item 13, there are no pending infringement, opposition, or cancellation proceedings or material federal or state litigation involving the use and ownership of Degree Wellness's trademarks. Additionally, no agreement significantly limits Degree Wellness's right to use or license the Marks in a manner material to a Studio franchise. However, Degree Wellness acknowledges that it is possible that the Marks have been used by others, and they cannot guarantee exclusive or superior rights to the Marks in all geographic areas. Degree Wellness also does not have a federal registration for all of its principal trademarks. Therefore, some of their trademarks do not have as many legal benefits and rights as a federally registered trademark. If their right to use the trademark is challenged, a franchisee may have to change to an alternative trademark, which may increase their expenses.

The trademarks that Degree Wellness uses include the name "Degree Wellness" the stylized "d" and " ENERGY FOR LIFE". The FDD lists the following marks with the PTO: DEGREE, WELLNESS, ADVANCED, and TECHNOLOGY. ADVANCED RESULTS. The following registrations are currently pending: ENERGY FOR LIFE and RELAX INTO BETTER HEALTH.

As a Degree Wellness franchisee, your right to use the Marks is derived solely from your Franchise Agreement and is contingent upon compliance with the agreement, including timely payments. Unauthorized use of the Marks constitutes infringement. Degree Wellness retains exclusive benefit of any goodwill established by your use of the Marks. You are prohibited from contesting the validity or ownership of the Marks. You must notify Degree Wellness of any potential trademark infringements and must follow their instructions regarding any modifications or discontinuation of the Marks.

Degree Wellness will indemnify and reimburse you for damages you are held liable for in any judicial or administrative proceeding arising out of your use of any Mark in compliance with your Franchise Agreement and all costs you reasonably incur in defending against any claim brought against you or in any proceeding in which you are named as a party, provided that you have timely notified them of the claim or proceeding, provided them with the opportunity to defend the claim, cooperated with the defense of the claim, and otherwise complied with the Franchise Agreement. Degree Wellness may defend any proceeding arising out of your use of any Mark under your Franchise Agreement, and have no obligation to indemnify or reimburse you for any attorneys' fees or disbursements you incur if they defend the proceeding.

Disclaimer: This information is extracted from the 2025 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.