Are there any pending infringement proceedings related to Ledgers' trademarks?
Ledgers Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
TO | Registration Date | |---|---|---|---| | | 6497578 | Principal | September 28, 2021 | | | 6179313 | Principal | October 20, 2020 | We have filed all required affidavits and renewals.
There are currently no effective determinations of the USPTO, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, or any state trademark administrator or any court; or any pending infringement, opposition, or cancellation proceeding in which we unsuccessfully sought to prevent registration of a trademark in order to protect a trademark licensed by the franchisor. There are no pending material federal or state court litigation regarding our use or ownership rights in a trademark.
There are no currently effective agreements that significantly limit our rights to use or license the use of our trademarks listed in this section.
If you learn of any claim against you for alleged infringement, unfair competition, or similar claims about the Marks, you must promptly notify us. We are not required to take affirmative action when notified of these uses or claims.
We have the sole right to control any administrative proceedings or litigation involving a trademark licensed by us to you.
Source: Item 13 — TRADEMARKS (FDD pages 34–36)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Ledgers' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, there are no pending infringement proceedings related to their trademarks. Specifically, the FDD states that there are no effective determinations from the USPTO, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, any state trademark administrator, or any court. Additionally, Ledgers states that there are no pending infringement, opposition, or cancellation proceedings where they unsuccessfully sought to prevent trademark registration to protect a trademark they license. There is also no material federal or state court litigation regarding Ledgers' use or ownership rights in a trademark.
This is a positive disclosure for prospective Ledgers franchisees. It indicates that Ledgers is not currently involved in any legal disputes over its trademarks, which could disrupt a franchisee's ability to use the brand's name and logos. It also suggests that Ledgers actively protects its trademarks, which can help maintain brand recognition and value.
However, the FDD also clarifies that Ledgers is not required to take affirmative action or indemnify franchisees if they are notified of infringement claims or become involved in administrative or judicial proceedings related to the trademarks. The franchisee is responsible for any expenses incurred if Ledgers discontinues or modifies its marks and the franchisee must adopt new marks. This means that while Ledgers owns and controls the trademarks, franchisees may bear some financial risk related to trademark issues.
It is also important to note that Ledgers reserves the right to supplement and modify the marks used in connection with the franchised business. Franchisees are only authorized to use the licensed marks as permitted in writing by Ledgers and under the terms of the Franchise Agreement. Franchisees cannot use the Licensed Marks in the name of any corporate entity that they establish.