Who has the exclusive right to name an Even Hotels location?
Even_Hotels Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Licensee acknowledges and agrees: (a) not to contest, either directly or indirectly, IHG's and its Affiliates' unrestricted and exclusive ownership of and right to use the Brand System and any element(s) or component(s) thereof; (b) that IHG or any of its Affiliates has the sole and exclusive right to grant licenses to use all or any element(s) or component(s) of the Brand System; and (c) that it will not take any action in derogation of such ownership and rights of IHG and any of its Affiliates. Licensee specifically agrees and acknowledges that IHG owns or is licensed to use the name and mark "EVEN® Hotels" and all other Marks, as defined in paragraph 6.B. below, and other elements associated with the Brand System or derived therefrom (including but not limited to domain names or other identifications or elements used in electronic commerce), together with the goodwill symbolized thereby, and that Licensee will not contest, directly or indirectly, the validity or ownership of the Marks or take any other action in derogation of such validity or ownership either during the term of this License or after its termination. All improvements, modifications and additions whenever made to or associated with the Brand System by the parties hereto or anyone else, and all service marks, trademarks, copyrights, and service mark, trademark, domain name or similar registrations at any time used, applied for or granted in connection with the Brand System, and all goodwill arising from Licensee's use of IHG's Marks and other intellectual property, including (without limitation) local goodwill, shall inure to the benefit of and become the property of IHG. Upon expiration or termination of this License, no monetary amount shall be assigned as attributable to any goodwill associated with Licensee's use of the Brand System or any element(s) or component(s) of the Brand System including any trademarks or service marks licensed hereunder.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 99–438)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Even Hotels' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) and its affiliates retain the sole and exclusive right to use and grant licenses for the Brand System, which includes the name and mark "EVEN® Hotels". This means that IHG has the exclusive authority over the Even Hotels brand name and all associated trademarks, service marks, and intellectual property. As a franchisee, you acknowledge IHG's ownership and agree not to contest it.
This has significant implications for prospective franchisees. You cannot alter the Even Hotels name or branding in any way without IHG's explicit permission. All goodwill associated with the use of the Even Hotels brand accrues to IHG's benefit. Upon termination of the franchise agreement, no monetary value will be assigned to any goodwill you've built up through your use of the Even Hotels brand.
Furthermore, as an Even Hotels franchisee, you are obligated to protect the brand. If you become aware of any infringement or unauthorized use of the Even Hotels marks, you must immediately notify IHG. IHG has the exclusive right to handle disputes concerning the use of the Even Hotels name and Brand System. You are required to cooperate fully with IHG in such matters and cannot initiate any legal actions independently to protect the brand. This ensures brand consistency and quality control across all Even Hotels locations, which is a common practice in franchising.