Does Beehive Homes currently own or have interest in any patents associated with the operation of the franchised business?
Beehive_Homes Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
WE at present do not own or have an interest in any patents associated with the operation of the franchised business.
WE own the common law copyright to the Bee Hive Homes Policy and Procedures Manual which may be used by YOU during the term of the Franchise Agreement, but which must be returned to US upon termination of the franchise. WE have decided not to register the manual with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office so that changes can be made as needed without incurring the additional time delays and legal fees required by re-filing with the Patent Office for registered copyright protection.
The Franchise Agreement provides that YOU acknowledge that, YOUR entire knowledge of Bee Hive Homes system, services, all proprietary formulations, technology, know-how and the operation of a Home is derived from information disclosed to YOU by US pursuant to the Franchise Agreement and that the information is proprietary and confidential and a trade secret of OURS.
The Franchise Agreement also provides that YOU will: (a) fully and strictly adhere to all security procedures prescribed by US in OUR sole discretion for maintaining the secrecy of the information; (b) disclose the information to YOUR employees only to the extent necessary to provide the services and for the operation of the Home in accordance with the Franchise Agreement; (c) not use any of the information in any other business or in any manner not specifically authorized or approved in writing by US; and (d) exercise the highest degree of diligence and make every effort to maintain the absolute confidentiality of all the information during and after the term of the Franchise Agreement.
YOU are also obligated to require each employee of the Home to execute OUR standard Non-Competition and Non-Disclosure Agreement before participating in any training or performing any work at or otherwise having access to the Home. A copy of the agreement shall be delivered to US within one week of its execution or on the first day of employment, whichever is sooner.
Source: Item 14 — PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION (FDD pages 23–24)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Beehive Homes Franchise Disclosure Document, Beehive Homes does not currently own or have interest in any patents associated with the operation of the franchised business. However, Beehive Homes owns the common law copyright to the Bee Hive Homes Policy and Procedures Manual, which franchisees can use during the franchise term but must return upon termination. Beehive Homes has chosen not to register the manual with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to allow for changes without incurring additional time delays and legal fees.
The Franchise Agreement stipulates that a franchisee's knowledge of the Beehive Homes system, services, proprietary formulations, technology, know-how, and Home operation is derived from information disclosed by Beehive Homes and is considered proprietary, confidential, and a trade secret. Franchisees must adhere to security procedures, disclose information to employees only as necessary, and not use the information in any other business without written authorization. Franchisees are expected to maintain the confidentiality of all information both during and after the franchise term.
Furthermore, franchisees are obligated to have each employee sign a standard Non-Competition and Non-Disclosure Agreement before they participate in training, perform work, or access the Home. A copy of this agreement must be provided to Beehive Homes within one week of its execution or on the employee's first day of employment, whichever is sooner. This ensures that all individuals involved in the Beehive Homes franchise are bound by confidentiality and non-competition terms, protecting the franchisor's proprietary information and business practices.