Is the SLOAN® mark used by Goldfish Swim School registered as a Principal or Supplemental mark?
Goldfish_Swim_School Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
We do not have federal registrations for some of our principal trademarks, including those identified in the table by the ™ symbol and the word "Sloan," which is registered on the USPTO's Supplemental Register. Therefore, the trademarks that are not registered do not have as many legal benefits and rights as a federally-registered trademark. If our right to use those trademarks is challenged, you may have to change to an alternative trademark, which may increase your expenses.
Source: Item 13 — TRADEMARKS (FDD pages 44–51)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Goldfish Swim School Franchise Disclosure Document, the trademark SLOAN® is registered on the Supplemental Register. The FDD specifies that Goldfish Swim School does not have federal registrations for some of its principal trademarks, including the word "Sloan," which is registered on the USPTO's Supplemental Register.
This means that the SLOAN® trademark does not have as many legal protections as a federally-registered trademark on the Principal Register. As the FDD states, if Goldfish Swim School's right to use the SLOAN® trademark is challenged, franchisees may have to change to an alternative trademark, which may increase their expenses.
Prospective franchisees should be aware that using a trademark registered on the Supplemental Register carries more risk than using one on the Principal Register. It is important to understand the potential costs and implications if Goldfish Swim School is forced to change the trademark in the future.