If Aerus establishes an Intranet, who owns the communications posted on it?
Aerus Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
If Company establishes an Intranet, Franchisee shall have the privilege to use the Intranet, subject to Franchisee's strict compliance with the Policies and
Procedures that Company may establish from time to time. Franchisee acknowledges that, as administrator of the Intranet, Company can technically access and view any communication that is posted on the Intranet. Franchisee further acknowledges that the Intranet facility and all communications that are posted to it will become Company's property, free of any claims of privacy or privilege that Franchisee or any other person may assert.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 74–305)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Aerus Franchise Disclosure Document, if Aerus establishes an Intranet for communication between franchisees and the company, Aerus will own all communications posted on it. The FDD states that the Intranet facility and all communications posted to it become Aerus's property. This means franchisees give up any claims of privacy or privilege regarding their posts. Aerus, as the administrator, can access and view any communication posted on the Intranet.
This policy gives Aerus significant control over the Intranet's content. Aerus has sole discretion and control over all aspects of the Intranet, including its content and functionality. Aerus also has the right to dismantle the Intranet at any time without liability to the franchisee.
For a prospective franchisee, this means that any information, ideas, or concerns shared on the Intranet are not private and can be used by Aerus at its discretion. Franchisees should be mindful of what they post and how it might be perceived by Aerus. This is a fairly common practice in franchising, as franchisors often want to monitor and control communications within their network to ensure brand consistency and compliance.