Who owns the rights, title, and interest in the Marks and Copyrights related to the Petro Stopping Center?

According to the 2025 Petro Stopping Center FDD, Petro Stopping Center retains ownership of all rights, title, and interest in the Marks and Copyrights associated with the Petro System. This encompasses any and all websites and e-names commissioned, utilized, or required for use within the Petro System that bear Petro Stopping Center's marks or derivatives thereof. Additionally, Petro Stopping Center owns all rights, title, and interest in any data or information collected via e-commerce related to the Petro System or the Marks, including customer data, click-stream data, cookies, and user data. This data is also considered confidential information.

As a Petro Stopping Center franchisee, your right to use the Marks and Copyrights is strictly derived from the Franchise Agreement. This usage is limited to the operation of your Petro Center in compliance with the agreement and all Petro System Standards prescribed by Petro Stopping Center. Unauthorized use of the Marks and Copyrights constitutes a breach of the agreement and an infringement of Petro Stopping Center's rights.

The agreement explicitly states that any goodwill established through your use of the Marks and Copyrights will exclusively benefit Petro Stopping Center. The agreement does not grant you any ownership of goodwill or other interests in the Marks or Copyrights, beyond the right to operate the Petro Center in accordance with the agreement. You are required to use the designated Marks and Copyrights as the sole identification of the Petro Center, while also identifying yourself as the independent owner in the manner prescribed by Petro Stopping Center. You are prohibited from using modifying words, terms, designs, or symbols in connection with the Marks or Copyrights, or using them for unauthorized services or products.

Petro Stopping Center may require franchisees to provide artistic or literary content for use in e-commerce activities associated with the Marks or the Petro System. Petro Stopping Center may also restrict franchisees' use of e-commerce to designated centralized websites or networks and limit advertising activities to approved e-names. Franchisees are obligated to adhere to Petro Stopping Center's policies regarding e-mail, SPAM, privacy, and copyright. Furthermore, Petro Stopping Center may require franchisees to coordinate their e-commerce activities with the company, other Petro Centers, approved suppliers, and affiliates, potentially incurring expenses for participation in Intranet Systems.