Who owns the intellectual property rights to the Big Blue Swim School System Website?
Big_Blue_Swim_School Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
We or our designees may establish a website or series of websites (with or without restricted access) for the BIG BLUE Swim School network: (1) to advertise, market, identify, and promote BIG BLUE Swim Schools, the services and products they offer, and/or the BIG BLUE Swim School franchise opportunity; (2) to help us operate the BIG BLUE Swim School network; and/or (3) for any other purposes we deem appropriate for BIG BLUE Swim Schools or other business activities in which we engage (collectively, the "System Website"). The System Website need not give you a separate interior webpage or "micro-site" referencing your School. We will own all intellectual property and other rights in the System Website and all information it contains, including domain names or URL, the log of "hits" by visitors, any personal or business data visitors supply, and all information relating to the School's customers. We will control, and may use the Brand Fund's assets to develop, maintain, operate, update, and market, the System Website.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING (FDD pages 37–51)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Big Blue Swim School Franchise Disclosure Document, Big Blue Swim School retains ownership of all intellectual property rights associated with the System Website. This includes all information contained within the website, such as domain names, URLs, visitor data, and customer information. The System Website is used to advertise Big Blue Swim Schools, market their services and products, and promote the franchise opportunity.
As the owner of the System Website, Big Blue Swim School maintains control over its development, maintenance, operation, updates, and marketing. They may use the Brand Fund's assets for these purposes. Franchisees are required to ensure that any marketing materials they develop for their individual school comply with Big Blue Swim School's brand standards and include the specified URL for the System Website.
Franchisees are restricted from creating or managing any digital marketing or social media content that mentions or describes their school or displays any of Big Blue Swim School's marks without prior written approval from Big Blue Swim School. Furthermore, franchisees are generally prohibited from engaging in e-commerce or offering products or services online through any digital marketing, social media, or website, except for the System Website and approved digital marketing and social media. Big Blue Swim School reserves the right to maintain other websites and sell services and products under its marks online without any obligation to franchisees.