What materials does Auntie Annes claim copyrights on?
Auntie_Annes Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
We have no patents and no pending patent applications material to the franchise. We claim copyrights on the Manuals (including any supplements); the Recipes; our building designs, architectural renderings, and construction plans; and certain forms, advertisements, images, art, photography, promotional materials, and other written materials that we produce.
You must comply with the proper use and marking of the copyrighted materials as we indicate in the Manuals.
There are no agreements currently in effect that significantly limit your right to use any of our copyrights. Also, there are no currently-effective determinations of the USPTO, Copyright Office (Library of Congress) or any court involving any of our copyrights discussed above. We are unaware of any infringing uses of or superior prior rights to any of our copyrights that could materially affect your use of them in the state in which your Shop will be located.
Source: Item 14 — PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION (FDD pages 82–84)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to Auntie Annes's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, Auntie Annes claims copyrights on several materials. These include the Manuals (and any supplements), Recipes, building designs, architectural renderings, and construction plans. Additionally, Auntie Annes asserts copyright protection over certain forms, advertisements, images, art, photography, promotional materials, and other written materials that they produce.
As an Auntie Annes franchisee, it's crucial to understand that you must adhere to the proper use and marking of these copyrighted materials as outlined in the Manuals. This means you need to follow Auntie Annes's guidelines on how to display and use these materials in your franchise.
The FDD states that there are no agreements that significantly limit a franchisee's right to use Auntie Annes's copyrights. Furthermore, there are no current determinations from the USPTO, Copyright Office, or any court that would affect these copyrights. Auntie Annes is also unaware of any infringing uses or superior prior rights that could materially affect a franchisee's use of these copyrights in the state where their shop is located. This provides some assurance that franchisees should be able to use the copyrighted materials without legal issues, as long as they follow the guidelines in the manuals.