Does Benjamin Franklin Plumbing have any patents or patent applications that are material to the franchise?

According to Benjamin Franklin Plumbing's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, there are no patents or patent applications that are material to the franchise. However, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing does claim common law copyright protection in its Operations Manual, advertising material, websites, mobile apps, promotional letters and forms, educational and training material, and other works used in operating the Franchised Business. They also own copyright registrations with the United States Copyright Office for specific works. These copyrights extend to materials like the "Benjamin Franklin – Code of Ethics" and various service guides, with expiration dates ranging from 2098 to 2113.

As a Benjamin Franklin Plumbing franchisee, it's important to understand that while you won't be dealing with patents, you will be using copyrighted materials. You must adhere to the guidelines set by the franchisor regarding the use of these copyrighted materials. The franchisor intends to renew the copyright registrations and will take action if any infringement or challenges to the copyrights occur. As a franchisee, you are obligated to notify the franchisor immediately if you become aware of any such issues and cooperate fully in any related litigation.

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing retains the right to modify or discontinue the use of any copyright at any time, and as a franchisee, you must comply with these changes at your own expense. The Franchise Agreement does not grant you specific rights in these circumstances. Additionally, all data collected from customers and potential customers in connection with the Franchised Business during the term of the Franchise Agreement is the franchisor's proprietary information and property.

Franchisees must also be aware of the franchisor's proprietary rights in all Confidential Information, including financial, local marketing, operating and scheduling software systems, the standards, methods, procedures and specifications of the System, and the contents of the Operations Manual. Franchisees must maintain the absolute confidentiality of this information both during and after the term of the Franchise Agreement. Any improvements developed by the franchisee are deemed to be the franchisor's property, and the franchisor has the right to use, disclose, and/or license the improvement for use by others.