Who has the sole right to control any litigation concerning the Dollar Rent A Car marks?

According to the 2025 Dollar Rent A Car Franchise Disclosure Document, Dollar Rent A Car retains the exclusive right to manage any legal proceedings related to its trademarks. As a franchisee, you are required to immediately inform Dollar Rent A Car in writing if you become aware of any infringement or challenges to their trademark rights. However, you are not authorized to communicate with anyone other than Dollar Rent A Car or their attorneys regarding such matters.

This means that while franchisees are responsible for notifying Dollar Rent A Car of any potential trademark infringements, they do not have the authority to independently pursue legal action to protect the brand's trademarks. Dollar Rent A Car maintains control over these legal matters, deciding on the appropriate course of action.

This arrangement is typical in franchising, as it ensures brand consistency and protects the overall value of the trademark system. By centralizing control over trademark litigation, Dollar Rent A Car can ensure that all legal actions are aligned with the company's broader brand strategy and legal interests. This also prevents individual franchisees from taking actions that could potentially harm the brand's reputation or create conflicting legal precedents.