Who owns the Engel & Volkers trademarks ENGEL & VÖLKERS® and E&V®?

According to Engel & Volkers' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Engel & Völkers Marken GmbH & Co. KG (E&V Marken) owns the trademarks and service marks ENGEL & VÖLKERS® and E&V®. These trademarks are registered in the United States and other countries. Grund Genug Verlag und Werbe GmbH (Grund Genug Verlag) owns the trademarks and service marks GG® and GG GLOBAL GUIDE®, which are also registered in the United States and other countries. Collectively, all of these marks are referred to as the Trademarks. These Trademarks have been licensed to the Franchisor.

Engel & Volkers franchisees receive a non-exclusive franchise for the term of their agreement to use the Trademarks. This use is specifically for operating a Residential Real Estate Brokerage. Franchisees can use the Trademarks in publications related to their activities, correspondence, and advertisements, but must comply with the standards set by Engel & Volkers and outlined in the System Documentation. Franchisees cannot use confusingly similar marks or register any mark that incorporates the Trademarks.

Engel & Volkers retains control over the use of the Trademarks in the metaverse, prohibiting franchisees from using them in that context. Franchisees acknowledge that they do not acquire any proprietary rights in the Trademarks and that all goodwill from their use benefits E&V Marken or Grund Genug Verlag. Franchisees are prohibited from contesting the validity or ownership of the Trademarks. Unauthorized use of the Trademarks by a franchisee constitutes an infringement of the rights of E&V Marken or Grund Genug Verlag.