Does Epcon Communities retain the sole 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.
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 variations thereof. These domain names include "EpconCommunities", "epconcommunities.com", "epconhomesandcommunities.com", "epconfranchising.com", and "EpconOpportunity.com". Additionally, Epcon Communities has the right to register or use other domain names that are related or similar to these marks.
This means that while Epcon Communities may authorize franchisees to use portions of the content for their own websites, the company maintains control over the primary domain names associated with the brand. A franchisee is not allowed to own or operate a separate website for the promotion of their project or Epcon Communities business. However, the franchisee must disclose to Epcon Communities any websites they own, that are registered to them, or that they operate which are related in any way to residential construction or real estate sales.
This policy ensures that Epcon Communities can maintain a consistent brand image and control the online presence associated with its trademarks. While franchisees can have a web presence, it must be approved by Epcon Communities, ensuring compliance with brand standards and marketing strategies. This is a fairly common practice in franchising, where franchisors seek to control brand representation across all online platforms.