Who bears the expense of implementing Intellectual Property changes required by Bigfoot Forestry?
Bigfoot_Forestry Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You are responsible for all fees, costs and expenses associated with acquiring, licensing, utilizing, updating and upgrading Technology Systems.
Certain Technology Systems must be purchased or licensed from third-party suppliers.
We and/or our affiliate may develop proprietary Technology Systems (or components thereof) that become part of our System.
If this occurs, you agree to: (i) pay us (or our affiliate) commercially reasonable licensing, support and maintenance fees; and (ii) upon request, sign our prescribed form of license agreement governing use of proprietary Technology Systems (or components thereof).
We may enter into master agreements with licensors of Third-Party Technology and charge you for amounts we pay them based on your use of their Third-Party Technology.
We may charge you a technology fee, which includes all amounts you pay us and our affiliates relating to Technology Systems, including amounts paid for proprietary items and amounts we collect from you and remit to suppliers of Third-Party Technology.
The technology fee may change based on changes to Technology Systems or prices charged by third parties with whom we enter into mast
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 42–162)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bigfoot Forestry's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisee is responsible for the costs associated with updating and upgrading technology systems, which would include changes to intellectual property. Specifically, the franchisee must cover all fees, costs, and expenses related to acquiring, licensing, utilizing, updating, and upgrading these technology systems. This encompasses both third-party technology and any proprietary technology systems developed by Bigfoot Forestry or its affiliates.
This means that if Bigfoot Forestry makes changes to its brand standards manual or other aspects of its system that require franchisees to update their technology, the franchisee will bear the financial burden of these updates. This could include purchasing new software, hardware, or other technology-related items. Furthermore, Bigfoot Forestry may charge franchisees licensing, support, and maintenance fees for proprietary technology systems or components that become part of the Bigfoot Forestry system.
Bigfoot Forestry may also enter into master agreements with licensors of third-party technology and then charge the franchisee for the amounts Bigfoot Forestry pays based on the franchisee's use of the third-party technology. The technology fee charged to the franchisee may fluctuate depending on changes to the technology systems or the prices charged by third parties. Therefore, franchisees need to budget for ongoing technology expenses and be prepared for potential increases in these costs.
In summary, the franchisee is responsible for all costs associated with keeping their technology systems up-to-date with Bigfoot Forestry's requirements, including changes related to intellectual property. This is a common practice in franchising, as it allows the franchisor to maintain consistency and protect its brand standards across all franchise locations, while placing the financial responsibility for implementation on the franchisee.