Who is the owner of the trademarks licensed to Gokhale Method?
Gokhale_Method Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
The principal trademarks you'll use under license from us through the Franchise Agreement are listed below. All of our trademarks are registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office ("PTO"). Since we have a license from the owner of these marks, Esther Gokhale, and they are registered on the Principal Register of the Patent and Trademark Office for these marks, we have certain presumptive legal rights granted by a registration.
Our principal trademarks that are registered with the PTO are:
Source: Item 13 — TRADEMARKS (FDD pages 24–25)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to Gokhale Method's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, the trademarks used under license are owned by Esther Gokhale. Gokhale Method has a license from Esther Gokhale to use these marks and to sublicense them to franchisees. Because the trademarks are registered on the Principal Register of the Patent and Trademark Office, Gokhale Method possesses certain presumptive legal rights.
This arrangement means that while Gokhale Method franchisees can use the trademarks to operate their business, the ultimate control and ownership of the brand's identity rests with Esther Gokhale. This is a fairly common arrangement in franchising, where the founder or a separate entity retains ownership of the intellectual property.
Prospective franchisees should be aware that Gokhale Method has the right to modify, add to, or discontinue the use of the Marks, or substitute different Marks. Franchisees are responsible for promptly complying with any required changes and will bear the costs of modifying their signs, advertising materials, and other items that display the Marks. Gokhale Method assumes no liability for these modifications or discontinuances.