What are the limitations on the use of My Salon Suite's trademarks?
My_Salon_Suite Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
ss (as prescribed herein or the Manual) without notice to the Franchisee, provided Franchisor has a good faith belief that its inspection will not substantially disrupt the operations of the Franchised Business. Otherwise, Franchisor may provide twenty- four (24) hours' notice of such inspection.
- G. Franchisor's Sole Right to Domain Name. Franchisee hereby acknowledges that Franchisor and its Affiliates and are the owners or all rights, title, and interest in the registration of the domain name www.mysalonsuite.com and any other domain used for the System ("Domain Name"). During the term of this Franchise Agreement and thereafter, Franchisee agrees not establish, create, traffic in, or operate an Internet site or website using a domain name or uniform resource locator containing any of the Proprietary Marks, including "My Salon Suite" or any portion or variation thereof. Franchisee agrees and acknowledges that Franchisor, its Affiliate and any licensor of Franchisor or its Affiliate retain the exclusive right to advertise on the Internet and create websites using the "My Salon Suite" name and any other domain name(s) that Franchisor may specify in the Manual or other writing. Franchisor is the sole owner of all right, title, and interest in and to such domain names, as Franchisor shall designate in the Manual.
- H. Improvements. Any improvements or additions to the System, patents, copyrighted materials, the Domain Name, website, or any other documents or information pertaining to or relating to the System or the Franchised Business, or any new trade names, trade and service marks, logos, or commercial symbols related to the Franchised Business or any advertising and promotional ideas or inventions related to the Franchised Businesses (collectively, "Improvements") conceived or developed by Franchisee shall become Franchisor's property. Franchisee agrees to assign and does hereby assign to Franchisor, all right, title and interest in and to the Improvements, including the right to grant sublicenses to any such Improvement. Franchisee shall fully disclose the Improvements to Franchisor, without disclosure of the Improvements to others, and shall obtain Franchisor's written approval prior to using such Improvements.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 95–230)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to My Salon Suite's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees face several limitations regarding the use of the brand's trademarks. A significant restriction is that franchisees cannot establish or operate any internet site or website using the Proprietary Marks, including "My Salon Suite," or any variation of it, during and after the term of the Franchise Agreement. This means franchisees are prohibited from using the brand name in their domain names or URLs. My Salon Suite retains the exclusive right to advertise on the Internet and create websites using the "My Salon Suite" name.
Any improvements or additions to the My Salon Suite system, including patents, copyrighted materials, the domain name, website, or any other documents or information pertaining to the system or the franchised business, automatically become the property of My Salon Suite. This also includes any new trade names, trademarks, service marks, logos, or commercial symbols related to the franchised business, or any advertising and promotional ideas or inventions. Franchisees are required to disclose any such improvements to My Salon Suite and obtain written approval before using them.
My Salon Suite has the right to use any improvements developed by the franchisee without any obligation for royalties or other fees. My Salon Suite may also apply for and own copyrights, patents, trade names, trademarks, and service marks relating to any such improvement. In return, My Salon Suite will authorize the franchisee to utilize any improvement developed by other franchisees that is generally authorized for use by other franchisees. These limitations ensure that My Salon Suite maintains control over its brand and online presence, while also benefiting from any innovations developed within the franchise system.