What registered copyrights did Amerispec Inspection Services acquire from its Immediate Predecessor?
Amerispec_Inspection_Services Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
In the Acquisition, we acquired from Immediate Predecessor ownership of the following copyrights that had been registered by our Indirect Predecessor's former affiliates with the Copyright Office of the Library of Congress, which you may use as long as you are a franchisee:
| Mark | Registration No. | Date of Registration |
|---|---|---|
| AMERISPEC | 1,497,266 | July 19, 1988 |
| 1,968,902 | April 16, 1996 | |
| 2,524,568 | January 1, 2002 | |
| PROTECTION BEYOND THE INSPECTION | 3,860,652 | October 12, 2010 |
| PROTECTION BEYOND THE INSPECTION | 3,918,093 | February 8, 2011 |
| ASK THE INSPECTOR | 3,958,321 | May 10, 2011 |
| 4,066,523 | December 6, 2011 | |
| AMERISPEC (word mark) | 4,066,524 | December 6, 2011 |
| 4,066,525 | December 6, 2011 |
Source: Item 14 — Patents, Copyrights and Proprietary Information (FDD pages 34–35)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Amerispec Inspection Services's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the company acquired several registered copyrights from its Immediate Predecessor. These copyrights were initially registered by the Indirect Predecessor's former affiliates with the Copyright Office of the Library of Congress. As an Amerispec Inspection Services franchisee, you are permitted to use these copyrights as long as you remain a franchisee.
The specific copyrights acquired by Amerispec Inspection Services include the marks AMERISPEC (with multiple registration numbers and dates), PROTECTION BEYOND THE INSPECTION (with two registration numbers and dates), and ASK THE INSPECTOR (with one registration number and date). The AMERISPEC mark has registration numbers 1,497,266 (registered July 19, 1988), 1,968,902 (registered April 16, 1996), 2,524,568 (registered January 1, 2002), 4,066,524 (registered December 6, 2011) and 4,066,525 (registered December 6, 2011). PROTECTION BEYOND THE INSPECTION has registration numbers 3,860,652 (registered October 12, 2010) and 3,918,093 (registered February 8, 2011). ASK THE INSPECTOR has registration number 3,958,321, registered May 10, 2011. Additionally, there are marks with registration numbers 4,066,523 (registered December 6, 2011).
It is important to note that while Amerispec Inspection Services claims copyright protection for its manuals, advertising materials, inspection agreements, and forms, these materials may not be registered with the Copyright Office. Franchisees are allowed to use these materials only during the term of their Franchise Agreement. The FDD also states that there are no current determinations by the Copyright Office or any court that would affect the copyrighted materials, nor are there any agreements limiting Amerispec Inspection Services's right to use or license these materials. Amerispec Inspection Services is not aware of any infringing uses that could materially affect a franchisee's use of the materials and is not obligated by any agreement to protect or defend these copyrights.