Does Angry Chickz have a federal copyright registration for its Manuals?
Angry_Chickz Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
he Manuals current at all times, and upon the termination or non-renewal of your Franchise Agreement return all Manuals to us.
Although neither we nor our affiliates have filed an application for a copyright registration for the Manual(s), we claim common law copyrights in the Manual(s). Federal registration of copyrights is not required to ensure the protection of federal copyright law. The typical duration of a copyright is the life of the author plus 70 years.
The Manual(s), bulletins, electronic communications and/or other directives we provide you are our property and you may not duplicate, copy, disclose or disseminate the contents of the same at any time, without our express written consent. We may modify or supplement the Manual(s), bulletins, electronic communications and/or other directives upon notice or delivery to you. You must keep the Manual(s) current at all times, and upon the termination or non-renewal of your Franchise Agreement return all Manuals to us.
You may not copy, divulge or use any confidential information, which may include our Policies and the contents of our Manuals, marketing concepts, and operating methods and techniques (the "Confidential Materials and Practices") during or after the term of your Franchise Agreement, except in connection with the operation of your Restaurant pursuant to a valid Franchise Agreement. You must follow all reasonable procedures we prescribe to prevent unauthorized use and disclosure of our Confidential Materials and Practices.
Source: Item 14 — PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS, AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION (FDD page 38)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Angry Chickz FDD, Angry Chickz or its affiliates have not filed for a federal copyright registration for its manuals. However, Angry Chickz claims common law copyrights in the manuals, which do not require federal registration to ensure protection under federal copyright law. The typical duration of a copyright is the life of the author plus 70 years.
Angry Chickz loans franchisees one copy of its manuals for confidential use in their restaurant. These manuals remain the property of Angry Chickz, and franchisees cannot duplicate, copy, disclose, or disseminate the contents without express written consent. Angry Chickz retains the right to modify or supplement the manuals, with franchisees required to keep their manuals current. Upon termination or non-renewal of the Franchise Agreement, franchisees must return all manuals to Angry Chickz.
Franchisees are prohibited from copying, divulging, or using any confidential information, including the contents of the manuals, marketing concepts, and operating methods, both during and after the term of the Franchise Agreement, except in connection with operating their restaurant under a valid Franchise Agreement. Franchisees must follow all reasonable procedures prescribed by Angry Chickz to prevent unauthorized use and disclosure of confidential materials and practices. Additionally, franchisees must inform their employees about the obligation of confidence and have them sign a written non-disclosure agreement, submitting a copy to Angry Chickz for their files.