How can an Engel & Volkers franchisee use the trademarks to publicize their activity?
Engel_Volkers Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You may use the Trademarks to publicize your activity under the Franchise Agreement in correspondence (including your business documents, letterheads, invoices, business cards, stickers, etc.)
Direct Franchise EV FDD 03/31/2025
and also in advertisements, subject to compliance with the standards we stipulate in the System Documentation. You can use the trademark ENGEL & VÖLKERS and other Trademarks solely in accordance with the provisions of your Franchise Agreement and System Documentation and you cannot apply for any mark or names conflicting with the Trademarks or cause those symbols or names to be registered or prejudice the rights attaching to those Trademarks in any other way. Detailed instructions for the use of the Trademarks can be found in the System Documentation.
Source: Item 13 — TRADEMARKS (FDD pages 56–59)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Engel & Volkers' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are permitted to use the trademarks to publicize their business activities. This includes using the trademarks in correspondence such as business documents, letterheads, invoices, business cards, and stickers. Franchisees can also use the trademarks in advertisements. However, all usage must comply with the standards stipulated in Engel & Volkers' System Documentation.
Engel & Volkers franchisees must adhere to specific guidelines when using trademarks in electronic commerce. This includes all forms of electronic or computer communication, such as the franchisee's website, which is a subdomain of Engel & Volkers' main website. Franchisees are not allowed to maintain any other website for their residential real estate brokerage or its sales advisors. Engel & Volkers may require specific templates or formats for marketing and advertising materials. Franchisees must provide copies of all proposed applications for trademark registration or any variations for use in electronic commerce, including website addresses and domain names, and must obtain prior written approval before filing any application.
Engel & Volkers retains the right to review all online content on social media sites, blogs, electronic communications, and other online sites where the trademarks are used. This is to protect the reputation and high quality associated with the trademarks. Engel & Volkers may require franchisees to remove any questionable usage or content involving the trademarks or cease using the trademarks altogether on such sites. Franchisees are granted a non-exclusive right to use the service marks ENGEL & VÖLKERS®, E&V®, GG® and GG GLOBAL GUIDE® and other trademarks, including the unregistered mark of the new ENGEL & VÖLKERS logo, during the term of their Franchise Agreement, as permitted by the System Documentation.