What specific trade dress and design elements are Remax franchisees prohibited from using after termination?
Remax Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- (7) refrain from adopting or using in any manner, or for any purpose, the RE/MAX Marks, or any other service marks or trademarks of REMAX, LLC, or any confusingly similar marks, including without limitation: (i) the RE/MAX red-over-white-over-blue trade dress, the property sign designs set forth in the Brand Standards Manual, or any other trade dress or property sign designs that on review are deemed by us to be confusingly similar to the RE/MAX trade dress or property sign designs set forth in the Brand Standards Manual; or (ii) the terms "RE/MAX," "REMAX" or "MAX" or any other term that begins with the prefix "RE" or includes "MAX", or any other term, logo or designs that include the "/" element, or any other term that on review is deemed by us to create a possibility of confusion or question regarding your or your Owners' affiliation with or sponsorship or endorsement by the RE/MAX organization.
You further agree to refrain from the use of any property sign, trade dress or identity scheme that includes lateral elements in red and blue separated by a white element, from the use of a design comprised of a three horizontal bar design, and from the use of a hot air balloon, a hot air balloon symbol or similarly shaped symbol;
- (8) refrain from referring to designations, certifications, awards or recognition that we, REMAX, LLC or any of our or REMAX, LLC's Related Parties may have granted to you or your Owners at any time during your affiliation with the RE/MAX Network in any form of advertising or promotion;
Source: Item 22 — Contracts (FDD pages 108–334)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Remax's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, upon termination of the franchise agreement, franchisees must refrain from using specific trade dress and design elements associated with the Remax brand. This includes the red-over-white-over-blue trade dress, the property sign designs detailed in the Brand Standards Manual, and any other trade dress or property sign designs that Remax deems confusingly similar to those in the Brand Standards Manual.
Specifically, franchisees are prohibited from using any property sign, trade dress, or identity scheme that incorporates lateral elements in red and blue separated by a white element. Additionally, they cannot use a design comprised of a three horizontal bar design or any hot air balloon or similarly shaped symbol. These restrictions are in place to ensure that former franchisees do not create confusion in the marketplace regarding their affiliation with Remax.
These prohibitions extend to the use of the terms "RE/MAX," "REMAX," or "MAX," or any term that begins with the prefix "RE" or includes "MAX", or any other term, logo or designs that include the "/" element, or any other term that on review is deemed to create a possibility of confusion or question regarding your or your Owners' affiliation with or sponsorship or endorsement by the RE/MAX organization. Franchisees must also discontinue using any designations, certifications, awards, or recognition granted by Remax during their affiliation with the Remax network in any form of advertising or promotion.
In practical terms, a former Remax franchisee must completely rebrand their business to avoid any association with Remax. This includes changing signage, marketing materials, and online presence to eliminate any Remax trademarks, logos, or color schemes. Failure to comply with these restrictions could result in legal action by Remax to protect its brand and prevent consumer confusion.