factual

What is the Kidokinetics franchisee's responsibility to protect the goodwill of the Marks and other intellectual property?

Kidokinetics Franchise · 2024 FDD

Answer from 2024 FDD Document

other interest in or to the Intellectual Property.

  • 13.2 No Interference. Neither Franchisee nor any Principal will take any action that would prejudice or interfere with the validity of Franchisor's or Licensor's rights with respect to the Intellectual Property. Nothing in this Agreement gives the Franchisee any right, title, or interest in or to any of the Intellectual Property or any of Franchisor's or Licensor's service marks, trademarks, trade names, trade dress, logos, copyrights or proprietary materials, except the right to use the Intellectual Property and the System in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement for the operation of a Kidokinetics Business and only at or from the Kidokinetics Business Location or in approved advertising related to the Kidokinetics Business.
  • 13.3 Goodwill. Franchisee understands and agrees that any and all goodwill arising from Franchisee's use of the Intellectual Property and the System inures solely and exclusively to the benefit of Franchisor and Licensor, and upon expiration or termination of this Agreement and the license granted, no monetary amount will be assigned as attributable to any goodwill associated with Franchisee's use of the Intellectual Property.
  • 13.4 Validity. The Marks are valid and serve to identify the System and those who are authorized to operate under the System and Franchisee shall not contest the validity of, or Franchisor's or Licensor's interest in, the Intellectual Property or assist others to contest the validity of, or Franchisor's or Licensor's interest in, the Intellectual Property.
  • 13.5 Infringement. Franchisee acknowledges that any unauthorized use of the Intellectual Property constitutes an infringement of Franchisor's or Licensor's rights in the Intellectual Property and an event of default hereunder. Franchisee shall provide Franchisor or Licensor with all assignments, affidavits, documents, information and assistance Franchisor or Licensor reasonably requests to fully vest in Franchisor or Licensor all such rights, title and interest in and to the Intellectual Property, including all such items as are reasonably requested by Franchisor or Licensor to register, maintain and enforce such rights in the Intellectual Property.
  • 13.6 Substitution. Franchisor reserves the right to substitute different Marks for use in identifying the System and the Kidokinetics Business if the current Marks no longer can be used by Franchisor, or if Franchisor, in its sole discretion, determines that substitution of different Marks will be beneficial to the System. In such event, Franchisor will require Franchisee, at Franchisee's expense, to discontinue or modify Franchisee's use of any of the Marks or to use one or more additional or substitute Marks no later than 10 days after notification thereof.
  • 13.7 Franchisee's Use of the Intellectual Property. With respect to Franchisee's use of the Intellectual Property pursuant to this Agreement, Franchisee further agrees that:
    • 13.7.1 Unless otherwise authorized or required by Franchisor, Franchisee shall advertise the Kidokinetics Business only under the Mark "Kidokinetics ®," and design. Franchisee must use only the Marks that Franchisor designates, and must use them only in the manner Franchisor authorizes and permits. Franchisee must use the Marks only for the operation of the Kidokinetics Business at the location approved by Franchisor and for advertising the Kidokinetics Business. Franchisee shall not use the Marks as part of its corporate or other legal name, and shall obtain the Franchisor's approval of its corporate or other legal name prior to filing it with the applicable

state authority. Franchisee shall comply with Franchisor's instructions in filing and maintaining the requisite trade name or fictitious name registrations, and shall execute any documents deemed necessary by Franchisor or its counsel to obtain protection of the Marks or to maintain their continued validity and enforceability. All fictitious names used by Franchisee will bear the designation "a franchisee of Kidokinetics Franchisee LLC". Franchisee must promptly register at the office of each county in which Franchisee's Kidokinetics Business operates, or at such other public office as provided for by the laws of the state in which Franchisee's Kidokinetics Business is located, as doing business under such assumed business name.

  • 13.7.2 Franchisee shall identify itself as the owner of the Kidokinetics Business and as an independent Kidokinetics Franchise LLC franchisee in conjunction with any use of the Intellectual Property, including, but not limited to, uses on invoices, order forms, receipts and contracts, as well as the display of a notice in such content and form and at conspicuous locations or on any vehicle as Franchisor may designate in writing.
  • 13.7.3 Franchisee shall not use the Intellectual Property to incur any obligation or indebtedness on behalf of Franchisor.
  • 13.7.4 Any merchandise offered by Franchisee that utilizes the Marks, must be approved by Franchisor in writing prior to being sold by Franchisee and such approval may be granted or denied in Franchisor's sole and absolute discretion.
  • 13.7.5 The license of the Marks granted to Franchisee hereunder is nonexclusive and Franchisor retains the right, among others, (i) to use the Marks itself in connection with selling products and services; (ii) to grant other licenses for the Marks; and (iii) to develop and establish other systems using the Marks, similar proprietary marks, or any other proprietary marks, and to grant licenses thereto without providing any rights therein to Franchisee.
  • Claims, Franchisee shall notify Franchisor immediately by telephone, and in writing, of any apparent infringement of or challenge to Franchisee's use of any Intellectual Property and of any claim by any person of any rights in any Intellectual Property. Franchisee shall promptly notify Franchisor and cooperate fully in defending or settling such litigation. Franchisee may not communicate with any person other than Franchisor or any designated affiliate thereof, their counsel and Franchisee's counsel in connection with any such infringement, challenge or claim. Franchisor will have complete discretion to take such action as it deems appropriate in connection with the foregoing, and the right to control exclusively, or to delegate control to any of its affiliates, of any settlement, litigation or Patent and Trademark Office or other proceeding arising out of any such alleged infringement, challenge or claim or otherwise relating to any Intellectual Property. Franchisee agrees to execute any and all instruments and documents, render such assistance, and do such acts or things as may, in the opinion of Franchisor, reasonably be necessary or advisable to defend or settle such litigation, to protect and maintain the interests of Franchisor or any other person or entity in any litigation or other proceeding or to otherwise protect and maintain the interests of Franchisor or any other interested party in the Intellectual Property.

Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 59)

What This Means (2024 FDD)

According to Kidokinetics' 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees have several responsibilities to protect the goodwill associated with the Kidokinetics brand and its intellectual property. The franchisee cannot take any action that would negatively impact the validity of Kidokinetics' or its licensor's rights regarding intellectual property. The franchisee acknowledges that all goodwill arising from their use of Kidokinetics' intellectual property benefits Kidokinetics and its licensor. The franchisee cannot contest the validity of Kidokinetics' intellectual property. Unauthorized use of the intellectual property is considered an infringement of Kidokinetics' rights and a default of the agreement. The franchisee must assist Kidokinetics in securing its rights to the intellectual property.

The Kidokinetics franchisee cannot use the Marks as part of their legal name without prior approval from Kidokinetics. They must also comply with Kidokinetics' instructions for trade name registrations and execute necessary documents to protect the Marks. The franchisee must identify themselves as an independent Kidokinetics franchisee in conjunction with any use of the intellectual property. The franchisee cannot use the intellectual property to incur any obligations on behalf of Kidokinetics. Any merchandise using the Marks must be approved by Kidokinetics before being sold. Kidokinetics retains the right to use the Marks themselves, grant other licenses for the Marks, and develop other systems using similar marks without providing any rights to the franchisee.

Furthermore, the Kidokinetics franchisee must ensure their employees maintain a professional appearance and provide competent service, as poor service can damage the goodwill of the System and the Marks. The franchisee must use only approved equipment, products, and supplies that conform to Kidokinetics' standards. They must also display approved signs and advertising materials prominently at their location and on service vehicles. All advertising programs must be conducted in a dignified manner that does not harm the reputation of the System or the Marks. A franchisee being convicted of a crime that could damage the goodwill associated with the Marks is grounds for termination of the agreement.

Disclaimer: This information is extracted from the 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document and is provided for research purposes only. It does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult with a franchise attorney before making any investment decisions.