Does Anago own any patents related to the franchise offered in the Disclosure Document?
Anago Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
r request and will cause your Unit Franchisees to do so as well.
ITEM 14 - PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION
Patents
We do not own any rights in any patents material to the franchise offered under this Disclosure Document.
Copyrights
Although we have not filed an application for copyright registration for the Anago Manuals, we and ACS claim copyrights in the Anago Manuals and the information contained in the Anago Manuals. The Anago Manuals contain trade secrets and are our Proprietary Property. You must treat the Anago Manuals and any other manuals created by us and/or ACS as confidential and you must use all reasonable efforts to keep this information secret and confidential. You must also promptly tell us if you learn about any unauthorized use of this proprietary information. Neither we, nor ACS are required to take any action but will respond to this information as we think appropriate.
There are currently no effective determinations of the United States Copyright Office or any court regarding any of our copyrights, nor are there any currently effective agreements between us and third parties pertaining to our copyrights that will or may significantly limit your use of our copyrighted materials. Upon any infringement of, or challenge to, your use of any copyrighted work, you are obligated to immediately notify us and we have sole discretion to take any action as we deem appropriate.
If we deem it advisable to modify or discontinue use of any copyrighted work and/or use one or more new or derivative copyrighted work, you are obligated to do so.
We are not required by the Subfranchise Rights Agreement to defend you against any infringement, unfair competition or other claim respecting your use of any copyrighted work.
There are no infringing uses actually known to us that could materially affect your use of the copyrights.
You are prohibited from copying the Anago Manuals for distribution to any person, entity or established business group outside the System.
Confidential Information
The Anago Manuals and other copyrighted materials made available to you contain confidential and proprietary information and are ACS's and our trade secrets.
Source: Item 14 — PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION (FDD pages 41–43)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Anago's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Anago does not own any patents material to the franchise offered. However, Anago and ACS claim copyrights in the Anago Manuals and the information contained within them. These manuals contain trade secrets and are considered Anago's proprietary property.
As a franchisee, you must treat the Anago Manuals and any other manuals created by Anago or ACS as confidential, using all reasonable efforts to keep this information secret. You are also obligated to promptly inform Anago of any unauthorized use of this proprietary information. While neither Anago nor ACS is required to take action, they will respond to the information as they deem appropriate. You are prohibited from copying the Anago Manuals for distribution outside the Anago system.
Anago may disclose confidential information required for operating your Anago Subfranchise Rights Business during the initial training program, in the Anago Manuals, and through ongoing guidance. You are prohibited from communicating, divulging, or using any confidential information, trade secrets, or know-how concerning the franchise system's methods of operation, including client, product, sales, pricing, and merchandising information. This information can only be shared with employees who need access to it for business operations and to Unit Franchisees in your area, as authorized by your Subfranchise Rights Agreement. All individuals with access to the Anago Manuals or confidential information must sign a confidentiality agreement, which Anago can independently enforce.