Does All States M.E.D. have any patents material to the franchise?
All_States_M_E_D Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
No patents or pending patent applications are material to the franchise. We own copyrights in the Operations Manual, our website, our marketing materials, training manuals or videos, and other copyrightable items that are part of the System. While we claim copyrights in these and similar items, we have not registered these copyrights with the United States Register of Copyrights. You may use these items only as we specify while operating the Franchised Business and you must stop using them if we direct you to do so.
We do not have an obligation to protect the copyrights or to defend you against claims arising from your use of the copyrighted items. You must notify us if any claim for copyright infringement is brought against you over materials in which we claim a copyright. We have the right to control litigation over our copyrights. We are not required to participate in your defense or indemnify you for expenses and damages in a proceeding involving a copyright licensed to you. Your rights in the franchise agreement would continue if we require you to modify or discontinue using the subject matter covered by the copyright.
We know of no effective determinations of the U.S. Copyright Office or any court regarding any of our copyrighted materials. Our right to use or license copyrighted items is not materially limited by any agreement or known infringing use.
We have developed certain trade secrets and other confidential information, including methods of business management, sales and promotion techniques, and know-how, knowledge of, and experience in, operating an All States M.E.D. Business. We will provide our trade secrets and other confidential information to you during training, in the Operations Manual and as a result of the assistance we furnish you during the term of the franchise. You may only use the trade secrets and other confidential information for the purpose of operating your Franchised Business. You may only divulge trade secrets and/or other confidential information to employees who must have access to it to operate the Franchised Business. You are responsible for enforcing the confidentiality provisions as to your employees.
Source: Item 14 — PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS, AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION (FDD pages 30–31)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to the 2024 All States M.E.D. Franchise Disclosure Document, All States M.E.D. does not have any patents or pending patent applications that are material to the franchise. However, All States M.E.D. does own copyrights for its Operations Manual, website, marketing materials, training manuals/videos, and other copyrightable items that are part of their system. These copyrights have not been registered with the United States Register of Copyrights.
As a franchisee, you are permitted to use these copyrighted items only as specified by All States M.E.D. while operating your franchised business. This use must cease if All States M.E.D. directs you to do so. All States M.E.D. does not have an obligation to protect these copyrights or defend you against claims arising from your use of these copyrighted items. If a copyright infringement claim is brought against you involving materials for which All States M.E.D. claims a copyright, you must notify them, and they have the right to control any related litigation.
All States M.E.D. is not required to participate in your defense or indemnify you for expenses and damages in any proceeding involving a copyright licensed to you. However, your rights in the franchise agreement will continue even if All States M.E.D. requires you to modify or discontinue using the subject matter covered by the copyright. All States M.E.D. is not aware of any effective determinations by the U.S. Copyright Office or any court regarding their copyrighted materials, and their right to use or license copyrighted items is not materially limited by any agreement or known infringing use.
In addition to copyrights, All States M.E.D. has developed certain trade secrets and other confidential information, including methods of business management, sales and promotion techniques, and know-how related to operating an All States M.E.D. business. This information will be provided to you during training, in the Operations Manual, and through ongoing assistance. You are only allowed to use these trade secrets and confidential information to operate your franchised business and can only share them with employees who need access to it for that purpose. You are responsible for ensuring your employees maintain confidentiality.