Who owns the intellectual property rights to the Apricot Lane System Website?
Apricot_Lane Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
FRANCHISOR shall own all intellectual property and other rights in the System Website and all information it contains, including the domain names or URL (or any electronic addresses) for the System Website, the log of "hits" by visitors, and any personal or business data that visitors (including FRANCHISEE and its personnel) supply. FRANCHISOR may use the Marketing Fund's assets to develop, maintain and update the System Website and digital presence. FRANCHISOR may implement and periodically modify system standards relating to the System Website and digital presence and, at FRANCHISOR's option, may discontinue or alter the System Website(s) or digital presence, or any services offered through the System Website, at any time.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 51–222)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Apricot Lane Franchise Disclosure Document, Apricot Lane owns all intellectual property and other rights in the System Website. This includes the domain names or URL, the log of visitor hits, and any personal or business data that visitors supply. Apricot Lane may use the Marketing Fund's assets to develop, maintain, and update the System Website and digital presence.
Apricot Lane also has the right to implement and periodically modify system standards relating to the System Website and digital presence. At its option, Apricot Lane can discontinue or alter the System Website(s) or digital presence, or any services offered through the System Website, at any time.
For a prospective franchisee, this means that Apricot Lane maintains complete control over the System Website and its content. Franchisees must provide requested information for inclusion on the website and represent that the information is accurate and does not infringe on any third-party rights. Franchisees do not have ownership or control over any aspect of the System Website.