According to the Remax FDD, who owns the rights to the RE/MAX Marks?
Remax Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
A. Ownership of RE/MAX Marks. Contractor acknowledges that REMAX, LLC is the exclusive owner of all right, title and interest in and to REMAX, LLC's registered and unregistered marks, which include, without limitation, the name "RE/MAX" and certain other service marks, trademarks, trade dress and other commercial symbols, including the RE/MAX Balloon and Design, the red-over-white-over-blue horizontal bar design, and such other service marks, trademarks, trade dress and symbols as REMAX, LLC may develop, acquire, or license for the RE/MAX Network to use from time-to-time (collectively the "RE/MAX Marks"). Contractor further acknowledges that the RE/MAX Marks have become widely known throughout the United States and are now famous.
Source: Item 22 — Contracts (FDD pages 108–334)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Remax's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, REMAX, LLC is the exclusive owner of all rights, titles, and interests in the RE/MAX Marks. These marks include the name "RE/MAX" and other service marks, trademarks, trade dress, and commercial symbols such as the RE/MAX Balloon and Design, and the red-over-white-over-blue horizontal bar design.
For a Remax franchisee, this means that while they are granted a limited license to use the RE/MAX Marks, they do not own them. The franchisee's use of these marks is strictly governed by the franchise agreement and the Brand Standards Manual. All goodwill generated through the use of the RE/MAX Marks by the franchisee inures exclusively to the benefit of REMAX, LLC.
This arrangement is typical in franchising, where the franchisor retains ownership of the brand's intellectual property to ensure consistent brand representation and quality across all franchise locations. The franchisee must adhere to the franchisor's standards to maintain the brand's reputation and avoid any misuse of the trademarks.
The franchisee is also obligated to notify REMAX, LLC immediately of any third-party infringement or challenges to the RE/MAX Marks. REMAX, LLC has the sole right to control any litigation or proceedings related to such infringements, and the franchisee must cooperate and assist REMAX, LLC in protecting its interests in the RE/MAX Marks.