Is the Company required to participate in your defense against any claims regarding any of the Company's copyrights for B Bops?

According to B Bops's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, B Bops is not required to protect a franchisee's right to use any of its copyrights. This means that B Bops will not participate in a franchisee's defense, indemnify, or otherwise protect them against claims regarding the company's copyrights or the franchisee's use of those copyrights. This includes claims of infringement or unfair competition, regardless of whether the claims are brought in an administrative, judicial, or other proceeding.

This lack of required support from B Bops places the responsibility and potential financial burden of defending against copyright claims solely on the franchisee. Copyright disputes can be costly and time-consuming, potentially impacting the franchisee's business operations. It is important to note that B Bops retains the right to control any proceeding it chooses to bring regarding its copyrights.

Typically, franchisors offer some level of support or indemnification to franchisees in intellectual property matters. The fact that B Bops explicitly states it has no obligation to defend or indemnify franchisees is a notable deviation from this norm. Prospective franchisees should carefully consider this aspect and potentially seek legal counsel to understand the full scope of their responsibilities and potential liabilities related to copyright issues.

Given this information, a prospective franchisee should conduct thorough due diligence, including trademark and copyright clearance searches, before investing in a B Bops franchise. Additionally, they may want to negotiate with B Bops for some level of support or indemnification in case of copyright-related claims, although the FDD indicates the company is not obligated to provide such support.