Does All Team own any special patents pertaining to the Franchise Agreement?
All_Team Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
We own no special patents which pertain to the Franchise Agreement.
We claim copyrights in the Confidential Operations Manual, sales material and brochures, and related items used in operating the franchise. We have not registered these copyrights with the United States Registrar of Copyrights, but need not do so at this time to protect them. You may use these items only as we specify while operating your Agency.
There currently are no effective adverse determinations of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the U.S. Copyright Office, or any court regarding the copyrighted materials. No agreements limit our right to use or allow others to use the copyrighted materials. We do not actually know of any infringing uses of our copyrights that could materially affect your use of the copyrighted materials in any state.
We need not protect or defend copyrights, although we intend to do so if in the system's best interest. We may control any action we choose to bring, even if you voluntarily bring the matter to our attention. We need not participate in your defense and/or indemnify you for damages or expenses in a proceeding involving a copyright.
Source: Item 14 — PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION (FDD page 27)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to All Team's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, All Team does not own any special patents related to the Franchise Agreement. However, All Team does claim copyrights to its Confidential Operations Manual, sales material, brochures, and related items used in operating the franchise. While these copyrights are not registered with the United States Registrar of Copyrights, All Team states that registration is not currently necessary to protect them. Franchisees are permitted to use these copyrighted items only as specified by All Team while operating their agency.
All Team states that there are currently no adverse determinations from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the U.S. Copyright Office, or any court regarding these copyrighted materials. Additionally, there are no agreements that limit All Team's right to use or allow others to use these materials. All Team also states that they are not aware of any infringing uses of their copyrights that could significantly impact a franchisee's use of the copyrighted materials in any state.
While All Team is not obligated to protect or defend these copyrights, they intend to do so if it is in the best interest of the franchise system. All Team retains control over any legal action they choose to pursue, even if a franchisee brings the matter to their attention. All Team is not required to participate in a franchisee's defense or provide indemnification for damages or expenses in any legal proceeding involving a copyright.