What items does Big Blue Swim School claim copyrights in?
Big_Blue_Swim_School Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
We and our affiliates claim copyrights in the Operations Manual (containing our and our affiliates' trade secrets and Confidential Information), School blueprints and other design features, signage, graphics and design elements used in Marketing Materials, Marketing Materials, software, our System Website, LESSONBuddy, and similar items used in operating BIG BLUE Swim Schools. We and our affiliates have not registered these copyrights with the United States Copyright Office but currently need not do so to protect them. You may use copyrighted items only as we specify while operating your School (and must stop using them at our direction). You have no other rights under the Franchise Agreement with respect to a copyrighted item if we require you to modify or discontinue using the subject matter covered by the copyright.
Source: Item 14 — PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS, AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION (FDD pages 58–59)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Big Blue Swim School's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the company and its affiliates assert copyrights over several key operational and marketing assets. These include the Operations Manual, which contains trade secrets and confidential information, school blueprints and other design features, signage, graphics and design elements used in Marketing Materials, Marketing Materials themselves, software, the System Website, LESSONBuddy, and similar items used in operating Big Blue Swim Schools.
While Big Blue Swim School claims these copyrights, they have not registered them with the United States Copyright Office, though they believe registration is not currently necessary for protection. As a franchisee, you are permitted to use these copyrighted items, but only as specified by Big Blue Swim School, and you must cease using them if directed.
Importantly, the franchise agreement does not grant you any rights to these copyrighted items beyond the specified usage for operating your school. Big Blue Swim School retains the right to require you to modify or discontinue using any item covered by copyright. This means that while you can use these materials to run your franchise, Big Blue Swim School maintains control over their intellectual property and can change how you use them.