Who owns the innovations related to a Body20 Studio or the System?
Body20 Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- 9.7 Innovations.
All ideas, concepts, techniques, or materials relating to a Studio or the System (collectively, "Innovations"), whether or not protectable intellectual property and whether created by or for you or your Owners, employees, or contractors, must be promptly disclosed to us and will be deemed to be our sole and exclusive property, part of the System and the Intellectual Property, and works made-for-hire for us.
To the extent any Innovation does not qualify as a work made-for-hire for us, by this Section, you assign ownership of that Innovation, and all related rights to that Innovation, to us and agree to sign (and to cause
your Owners, employees, and contractors to sign) whatever assignment or other documents we request to evidence our ownership or to help us obtain intellectual property rights in the Innovation. We and our Affiliates have no obligation to make any payments to you or any other person with respect to any Innovations. You may not use any Innovation in operating the Studio or otherwise without our prior approval.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 74–251)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Body20's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, any innovations related to a Body20 Studio or the System are the sole and exclusive property of Body20. This includes any ideas, concepts, techniques, or materials, regardless of whether they are protectable intellectual property. This applies whether these innovations are created by the franchisee, their owners, employees, or contractors.
The FDD states that franchisees must promptly disclose any such innovations to Body20. These innovations are considered part of the Body20 System and the Intellectual Property, and are classified as works made-for-hire for Body20. If an innovation does not legally qualify as a work made-for-hire, the franchisee automatically assigns ownership and all related rights to Body20. Franchisees must ensure that their owners, employees, and contractors also sign any necessary documents to confirm this assignment and to help Body20 secure intellectual property rights.
Body20 and its affiliates are not obligated to provide any payment or compensation to the franchisee or any other party for these innovations. Furthermore, franchisees are prohibited from using any innovation in the operation of their Body20 Studio or otherwise without prior written approval from Body20. This clause ensures that Body20 maintains complete control over any improvements or modifications to the Body20 system, even those originating from franchisees.