What is the Gokhale Method franchisee prohibited from using after termination regarding confidential information?
Gokhale_Method Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
d hereunder
- 16.2. Cease Use of Confidential Information and Marks. You shall immediately and permanently cease to use, in any manner whatsoever, any of our Intellectual Property, including but not limited to Confidential Information, methods, procedures and techniques associated with the System, and all Marks and distinctive forms, slogans, signs, symbols, colors, and devices associated with the System. In particular, you shall cease to use, without limitation, all signs, advertising materials, displays, stationery, forms, products and any other articles that display the Marks. You shall de-identify the Location of the Franchised Business so that there is no use or display of the Marks after the effective date of termination or expiration.
- 16.3. Cancellation of Registrations. You shall take such action as may be necessary to cancel any assumed name registration or equivalent registration obtained by you which contains the "Gokhale" word, or any other Marks, and you shall furnish us with evidence satisfactory to us of compliance with this obligation within five (5) days after termination or expiration of this Agreement.
- 16.4. Assignment of Lease. You shall, at our option, except in the event you continue to operate any other business you were operating from the same Location assign to us any interest which you have in any lease or sublease for the Location.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 34)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to Gokhale Method's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, upon termination or expiration of the Franchise Agreement, the franchisee must immediately and permanently cease using any of Gokhale Method's intellectual property. This includes confidential information, methods, procedures, and techniques associated with the Gokhale Method system. The franchisee is also prohibited from using any marks, distinctive forms, slogans, signs, symbols, colors, and devices associated with the system.
Specifically, the franchisee must stop using all signs, advertising materials, displays, stationery, forms, products, and any other articles that display the Gokhale Method marks. The franchisee is required to de-identify the location of the franchised business to ensure there is no use or display of the marks after the termination or expiration date. This means removing all branding and indications that the location is associated with Gokhale Method.
Additionally, the franchisee must take necessary actions to cancel any assumed name registrations or equivalent registrations that contain the word "Gokhale" or any other marks. Evidence of compliance with this obligation must be furnished to Gokhale Method within five days after termination or expiration of the agreement. The franchisee must also cease using any of Gokhale Method's domain names, URLs, email addresses, or home page addresses, and must not establish any website using similar or confusing domain names, URLs, or home page addresses.