Who currently owns the Engel & Volkers trademarks ENGEL & VÖLKERS and E&V?
Engel_Volkers Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
E&V Residential, which previously owned the Trademarks ENGEL & VÖLKERS and E&V, licensed them to E&V International, who in turn licensed them to U.S. Holding GmbH to use them, and in turn, U.S. Holding GmbH licensed them to us. We also have the right to use the unregistered mark of the house pictured on the cover page of this disclosure document. Grund Genug Verlag, which owns the stylized GG trademarks, has licensed them to E&V International, which in turn licensed U.S. Holding GmbH, and, in turn, U.S. Holding GmbH has licensed them to us. All the license agreements are dated January 9, 2006.
E&V Residential transferred ownership of the ENGEL & VÖLKERS and E&V Trademarks to E&V Marken on February 7, 2008. E&V Marken in turn has licensed E&V Residential to use the marks they formerly owned. In 2025, E&V Marken and E&V Residential are expected to merge, leaving E&V Residential as the surviving entity. E&V Residential, will then again become the owner of the ENGEL & VÖLKERS and E&V trademarks.
The following Trademarks now owned by E&V Marken have been registered on the Principal Register of the United States Patent and Trademark Office ("USPTO"):
| Mark | Registration Number | Registration Date | Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENGEL & VÖLKERS | 3011525 | November 1, 2005 | Principal Register |
| E&V (stylized lettering in red | 3076831 | April 4, 2006 | Principal Register |
| and black) | |||
| 6976262 | August 18, 2021 | Principal Register | |
| 7656711 | January 21, 2025 | Principal Register |
Source: Item 13 — TRADEMARKS (FDD pages 56–59)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Engel & Volkers' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, as of the document's publication, the trademarks ENGEL & VÖLKERS and E&V are owned by E&V Marken. However, the document indicates that E&V Marken has licensed these trademarks to E&V Residential. Furthermore, it is anticipated that E&V Marken and E&V Residential will merge in 2025, with E&V Residential becoming the surviving entity and, consequently, the owner of the ENGEL & VÖLKERS and E&V trademarks once again. Engel & Volkers, as a franchisee, receives the right to use these marks through a licensing agreement involving multiple parties, including U.S. Holding GmbH and E&V International. The registration details for the ENGEL & VÖLKERS trademark, registration number 3011525, show it was registered on November 1, 2005, on the Principal Register. The E&V trademark, registration number 3076831, was registered on April 4, 2006, also on the Principal Register, with additional registration numbers 6976262 and 7656711 registered on August 18, 2021, and January 21, 2025, respectively.
This complex licensing arrangement means that while Engel & Volkers franchisees are permitted to use the trademarks, they do not acquire any ownership rights. All goodwill generated through the use of these trademarks benefits E&V Marken or Grund Genug Verlag. Franchisees must adhere to strict guidelines regarding the use of these trademarks, as outlined in the System Documentation, and any unauthorized use constitutes an infringement of the trademark owner's rights. This includes proper usage in correspondence, advertisements, and electronic commerce, with Engel & Volkers retaining control over how the trademarks are used online to maintain brand consistency and quality.
For a prospective Engel & Volkers franchisee, it's crucial to understand that the right to use the trademarks is contingent upon maintaining the franchise agreement and adhering to the franchisor's standards. The franchisee must also be aware of the potential for changes to the trademarks, including the adoption of new or substitute marks, and must comply with Engel & Volkers' directions in such cases. While Engel & Volkers will defend the intellectual property rights of the system, including the trademarks, franchisees are responsible for notifying the franchisor of any infringements or attacks on these rights and assisting in any legal proceedings. The FDD also clarifies that the validity of the franchise agreement remains unaffected even if any of the franchised trademarks are canceled or rejected, with Engel & Volkers committing to use commercially reasonable efforts to offer adequate solutions.