If I develop ideas related to the Boulder Designs franchise, am I required to disclose them?
Boulder_Designs Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
All ideas, concepts, techniques or materials concerning the Franchised Business, whether or not protectable intellectual property and whether created by or for you or your owners or employees, must be promptly disclosed to us and will be deemed our sole and exclusive property and a part of the System that we may choose to adopt and/or disclose to other Franchisees. Likewise, we will disclose to you concepts and developments of other Franchisees that we make part of the System. You must also assist us in obtaining intellectual property rights in any concept or development if requested.
Source: Item 14 — PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION (FDD pages 36–37)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Boulder Designs's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, any ideas, concepts, techniques, or materials related to the franchised business, regardless of whether they are protectable intellectual property, must be promptly disclosed to Boulder Designs. This requirement applies whether these ideas are created by the franchisee, their owners, or employees.
Boulder Designs considers these disclosed ideas to be their sole and exclusive property and part of the Boulder Designs system. Boulder Designs has the discretion to adopt and/or disclose these ideas to other franchisees. Conversely, Boulder Designs will also disclose concepts and developments from other franchisees that they incorporate into the system.
Furthermore, as a Boulder Designs franchisee, you are obligated to assist Boulder Designs in securing intellectual property rights for any concept or development if requested. This clause ensures that Boulder Designs maintains control over innovations within the franchise network and can leverage new ideas for the benefit of the entire system.