Under what agreement does Gokhale Method Institute, Inc. license the trademarks and intellectual property?

According to the 2024 Gokhale Method Franchise Disclosure Document, Esther Gokhale, the founder and president, owns the trademarks, trade names, and intellectual property associated with the Gokhale Method. She licenses these trademarks and intellectual property to Gokhale Method Institute, Inc. through a license agreement. This agreement allows Gokhale Method Institute, Inc. to then grant franchisees the right to use these marks and intellectual property in their franchised businesses.

This licensing arrangement is a common practice in franchising, where the original owner of the intellectual property retains ownership but allows the franchisor to use it for the purpose of expanding the business through franchising. The license agreement between Esther Gokhale and Gokhale Method Institute, Inc. ensures that the franchisor has the legal right to sub-license these assets to its franchisees.

For a prospective franchisee, this means that their right to use the Gokhale Method name, trademarks, and teaching methods is ultimately dependent on the license agreement between Esther Gokhale and Gokhale Method Institute, Inc. Any changes or termination of this agreement could potentially affect the franchisee's rights. It would be prudent for a potential franchisee to understand the terms of this license agreement, although it is not included in the FDD, to assess any potential risks associated with the franchise.