Is the information in the Bigfoot Forestry manual considered confidential and proprietary?
Bigfoot_Forestry Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
, Marks and System.
- "Know-how" means and includes our (and our affiliates') trade secrets and other proprietary information relating to the development, marketing or operation of a Bigfoot Forestry Business including: methods and techniques; standards and specifications; policies and procedures; supplier lists and information; marketing strategies; merchandising strategies; and information comprising the System or included in the Manual.
- "Manual" means our confidential brand standards manual for the operation of a Bigfoot Forestry Business.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 42–162)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bigfoot Forestry's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the brand standards manual is considered confidential and proprietary. The FDD defines the "Manual" as the confidential brand standards manual for operating a Bigfoot Forestry Business.
This means that the contents of the manual, which include methods, techniques, standards, specifications, policies, procedures, supplier lists, marketing strategies, merchandising strategies, and other information related to the Bigfoot Forestry system, are considered trade secrets and proprietary information. As a franchisee, you are obligated to protect this information and not disclose it to third parties without prior approval from Bigfoot Forestry.
The confidentiality extends not only to the manual itself but also to any information comprising the Bigfoot Forestry System. This obligation is reinforced by the requirement that employees and independent contractors of the franchisee sign a Confidentiality Agreement, further emphasizing the importance of safeguarding the brand's intellectual property. A prospective franchisee should carefully review the scope of confidential information and the restrictions on its use and disclosure to fully understand their obligations.
Bigfoot Forestry emphasizes that protecting its intellectual property is vital to the success of the franchise system. Misuse of this information by a franchisee could seriously jeopardize the entire system. Therefore, franchisees must take all necessary steps to prevent unauthorized use or disclosure of confidential information, including refraining from making unauthorized copies and adhering to any requirements set forth by Bigfoot Forestry to maintain confidentiality.