Does Aw require me to assign intellectual property rights to them immediately in writing?
Aw Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
In addition, in the course of the operation of the Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant, and for six (6) months after the termination or expiration of this Agreement, you or your employees may develop ideas, inventions, formulas, concepts, methods, techniques or improvements relating to the Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant, which you agree to disclose to us and which we may then authorize you to use in the operation of the Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant. You agree that any corresponding intellectual property rights (including without limitation any rights in utility or design patents, know-how, trade secrets, trademarks, services marks and copyrights) in such ideas, inventions, formulas, concepts, methods, techniques or improvements will be our property and the title and rights to which shall be legally assigned to us immediately in writing by you, your Owners, your managers and/or employees. All of such information developed by you or your employees will be included in the term "Confidential Information," as defined above.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 39–40)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Aw's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, if you or your employees develop any ideas, inventions, formulas, concepts, methods, techniques, or improvements related to the Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant during the operation of the franchise or for six months after the agreement terminates, you must disclose these to Aw.
Aw may then authorize you to use these developments in the operation of your Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant. However, any corresponding intellectual property rights, including rights in patents, know-how, trade secrets, trademarks, service marks, and copyrights, will become Aw's property.
The FDD states that you, your owners, managers, and/or employees must legally assign the title and rights to these intellectual property developments to Aw immediately in writing. This means that any innovations or improvements you create related to the Aw franchise become the property of Aw, not your own, and you must formally transfer these rights to them.