What is the Bath Tune Up franchisee's responsibility regarding the Computer System?
Bath_Tune_Up Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Franchisor is the owner of, and will retain all right, title, and interest in and to the domain name "BATH TUNE-UP®", the URL, all existing and future domain names, URLs, addresses and subaddresses (including the Franchisee Page subaddresses), all computer programs and computer code (e.g., HTML, Java) used for or on Franchisor's Web site, excluding any computer programs and computer code owned by third parties (collectively, "Software"), all text, images, sounds, files, video, designs, animations, layout, color schemes, trade dress, concepts, methods, techniques, processes and data prepared for, used on or in connection with, displayed on, or collected from or through Franchisor's Web site (collectively, "Content), and all intellectual property rights in or to any of them.
(c) Franchisee must participate in programs and/or adhere to any then current policies or specifications Franchisor develops, maintains or requires from time to time with respect to the use of Artificial Intelligence in connection with the development and operation of the Franchised Businesses generally or the Franchised Business. For purposes of this Agreement, Artificial Intelligence means a field of science concerned with building computers and machines that can reason, learn, and act in such a way that would normally require human intelligence or that involves data whose scale exceeds what humans can analyze.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 52)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bath Tune Up's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisor retains all rights and ownership of the domain name "BATH TUNE-UP®", the URL, all existing and future domain names, URLs, addresses and subaddresses, all computer programs and computer code used for the franchisor's website, all text, images, sounds, files, video, designs, animations, layout, color schemes, trade dress, concepts, methods, techniques, processes and data prepared for, used on or in connection with, displayed on, or collected from or through Franchisor's Web site, and all intellectual property rights in or to any of them.
As a Bath Tune Up franchisee, you must participate in programs and adhere to any current policies or specifications the franchisor develops, maintains, or requires regarding the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in connection with the development and operation of franchised businesses. The definition of Artificial Intelligence includes building computers and machines that can reason, learn, and act in a way that would normally require human intelligence, or that involves data whose scale exceeds what humans can analyze.
This means that while Bath Tune Up franchisees do not own the technology or intellectual property associated with the brand's online presence, they are obligated to utilize and adhere to the franchisor's technology standards, including any AI-related programs or policies. This ensures brand consistency and allows the franchisor to maintain control over its online image and customer interactions. It is important for prospective franchisees to understand that they must stay updated with and implement any technology-related changes or requirements mandated by Bath Tune Up.