Does Epcon Communities retain the right to create a website using 'EpconCommunities', 'epconcommunities.com', 'epconhomesandcommunities.com', 'epconfranchising.com', and/or 'EpconOpportunity.com'?
Epcon_Communities Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Notwithstanding that Epcon Communities may authorize you to use portions of the Content in the creation of a web site, Epcon Communities retains the sole right to create a Web site using:
- "EpconCommunities";
- "epconcommunities.com"; "epconhomesandcommunities.com";
- "epconfranchising.com "; and/or
- "EpconOpportunity.com"
(collectively, the "Marks") and to register or use other domain names related or similar to any of the Marks. Prior to your creation of any web site related in any manner to an Epcon Communities franchised business (and pursuant to the approval process provided in the Epcon Communities Franchise Agreement), you must obtain Epcon Communities' written approval of (and Epcon Communities shall have continuing approval rights regarding) the domain name for such web site, the content of such Web site (including all framing employed) and use of any of the Marks in the content of such Web site. Epcon Communities retains the right to pre-approve your use of linking between your web pages which are related in any manner to an Epcon Communities franchised business and any other web site. Within five (5) days of any written request by Epcon Communities, you shall (a) remove any links between your web
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 86–280)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Epcon Communities Franchise Disclosure Document, Epcon Communities retains the sole right to create a website using specific domain names and related marks. Even if Epcon Communities authorizes a franchisee to use portions of the franchisor's content to create their own website, Epcon Communities maintains control over key online assets.
Specifically, Epcon Communities retains the right to create websites using "EpconCommunities", "epconcommunities.com", "epconhomesandcommunities.com", "epconfranchising.com", and "EpconOpportunity.com". The document refers to these names collectively as "the Marks". Epcon Communities also retains the right to register or use other domain names related or similar to any of these Marks.
Before a franchisee can create any website related to their Epcon Communities franchise, they must obtain written approval from Epcon Communities. This approval extends to the domain name, the website's content (including any framing used), and the use of any of the Marks within the content. Epcon Communities also retains the right to pre-approve any links between the franchisee's website and any other website. Furthermore, upon request from Epcon Communities, a franchisee must remove any links to other websites or any references to the Marks on their web pages within five days.
This level of control ensures that Epcon Communities can maintain a consistent brand image and manage its online presence effectively. It also means that franchisees have limited autonomy in creating their own online identities and must adhere to the franchisor's guidelines and approvals.