Skip to main content
Date
Rule
801.2
Staff
Michael Verne
Response/Comments
Yes - the trademark and franchise agreements would be non-exempt assets. Only B and C would be required to file.

Question

From:(redacted)

Sent:Wednesday, March 07, 2007 6:34 PM

To:Verne, B. Michael

Subject:802.2(e)

Ihave a transaction in which Buyer A is buying the stock of Co B. B owns andoperates hotels, with no casinos or ski facilities. B also owns trademarks forits hotels and licenses the name to third-parties who operate franchises underthe hotel name. B no doubt receives revenue from these licenses that probablyis significant. In this transaction, A will buy B and one second later willsell the intellectual property and franchise agreements of B to C so that Aessentially becomes a franchisee of C.

Twoissues. Would you regard the ip associated with the licenses and franchiseagreements to third-parties as non-exempt?. If it is not exempt, and if thevalue exceeds the jurisdictional threshold, would you apply the transitory rulehere to require only filings by B and C, as the interests acquired and held byA all would be exempt?

Ilook forward to your response and hope all is well with you.

About Informal Interpretations

Informal interpretations provide guidance from previous staff interpretations on the applicability of the HSR rules to specific fact situations. You should not rely on them as a substitute for reading the Act and the Rules themselves. These materials do not, and are not intended to, constitute legal advice.

Learn more about Informal Interpretations.