Does Aw require me to assign intellectual property rights to them for improvements I develop related to Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant?
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, you are obligated to disclose them to Aw. This obligation extends not only during the term of the franchise agreement but also for six months after its termination or expiration.
Aw may then authorize you to use these developments in the operation of the Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant. However, the franchise agreement stipulates that any intellectual property rights associated with these developments, including rights in utility or design patents, know-how, trade secrets, trademarks, service marks, and copyrights, will become the property of Aw.
You, your owners, managers, and employees are legally required to assign these intellectual property rights to Aw immediately in writing. Furthermore, all such information developed by you or your employees will be classified as "Confidential Information," which is subject to non-disclosure agreements and restrictions on use, even after the franchise agreement ends.