What is Engel & Volkers' right regarding online content that uses its Trademarks?
Engel_Volkers Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You are not permitted to have an individual franchisee website. You may choose, however, to promote your business via alternate online strategies consistent with the Engel & Völkers' online policy. We have the right to review all online content on social media sites, blogs, in electronic communications and on other online sites on which our Trademarks are used to protect the reputation and high quality associated with our Trademarks. We may require you to remove any questionable usage or content involving our Trademarks. We may also require you to cease using our Trademarks at all on such sites.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING (FDD pages 43–54)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Engel & Volkers' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, while franchisees are not permitted to have individual websites, they can promote their businesses through other online strategies, provided they adhere to Engel & Volkers' online policy. Engel & Volkers retains the right to review all online content on various platforms, including social media, blogs, electronic communications, and other online sites, where its trademarks are used.
This oversight is to safeguard the reputation and quality associated with the Engel & Volkers trademarks. If Engel & Volkers identifies any questionable usage or content involving its trademarks, it can require the franchisee to remove the problematic material. Furthermore, Engel & Volkers has the authority to demand that franchisees cease using its trademarks altogether on such online platforms.
This policy ensures brand consistency and protects Engel & Volkers' brand image. For a prospective franchisee, this means that all online marketing efforts must be carefully managed and compliant with Engel & Volkers' standards, with the understanding that the franchisor has the final say on how its trademarks are represented online.