Under what conditions may a franchisee use the copyrighted items of All Team?
All_Team Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
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.
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, franchisees may use the copyrighted sales material, brochures, and the Confidential Operations Manual only as specified by All Team while operating their agency. All Team claims copyrights in these items but has not registered them with the U.S. Registrar of Copyrights. However, All Team does not need to register the copyrights to protect them.
All Team retains the right to control any action regarding copyright infringement, even if the franchisee brings the matter to their attention. All Team is not required to participate in the franchisee's defense or indemnify them for damages or expenses in a copyright proceeding. The franchisee must also maintain the absolute confidentiality of All Team's confidential information, trade secrets, and proprietary rights during and after the franchise agreement term.
Franchisees are also restricted in their use of the software associated with the franchise. Franchisees are only granted specific rights to use the software as outlined in the franchise agreement and cannot claim any ownership interest in the software's intellectual property rights, including copyrights. They are prohibited from copying, disassembling, decompiling, or modifying the software, or allowing unauthorized access to it. Additionally, franchisees cannot alter or remove any copyright notices affixed to the software.