What items does Boulder Designs claim copyright protection in?
Boulder_Designs Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
There are no patents, registered copyrights, or patents pending that are material to the franchise. However, we claim copyright protection in the Manual, our website, and other copyrightable items that are part of the System. While We claim copyrights in these and similar items. You must use these items only as We specify while operating the Franchised Business and you must stop using these items if we direct you to do so. You may not duplicate or disclose any portion of the Manual in an unauthorized manner. Further, all information is proprietary and the Franchise Agreement require you to keep such information confidential.
We have the sole right to maintain Social Media sites and applications such as: Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, LinkedIn and other sites and applications that we may establish. We do not allow you to establish or utilize Social Media sites or applications for business purposes. You and your employees do not have the right to utilize any of the Trade Secrets and Confidential Information stated above, or the common law copyrighted materials including the guidelines, curriculums, classes, management and business training, community building mechanisms, vision statements, books, signage, promotional materials, Manual, training materials, Franchise Agreements, and any other documents, materials and items for the general ambiance and decor used in the operation of the System and the Boulder Designs Businesses on any Social Media sites or applications, even if made from a personal Social Media account.
Under the Franchise Agreement, you agree not to contest, directly or indirectly, our ownership, title, right or interest in our common law rights, copyrights, Trade Dress, Trade Secrets, Confidential Information, the System, methods, procedures or any other intellectual property rights that are part of our System or contest our sole right to register, use or license others to use (except as limited by the Franchise Agreement) the common law rights, copyrights, Trade Dress, Trade Secrets, Confidential Information, the System, methods, procedures or any other intellectual property rights that are part of our System.
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, the company claims copyright protection in several items. These include the franchise's Manual, its website, and other copyrightable items that are part of the Boulder Designs system. Franchisees are permitted to use these items only as specified by Boulder Designs while operating their franchised business. Franchisees must discontinue using these items if Boulder Designs directs them to do so.
The FDD also states that franchisees are prohibited from duplicating or disclosing any portion of the Manual in an unauthorized manner, as all information is proprietary and must be kept confidential according to the Franchise Agreement. Furthermore, Boulder Designs maintains sole control over social media sites and applications related to the business, such as Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest. Franchisees are not allowed to establish or use social media sites for business purposes and cannot utilize copyrighted materials, including guidelines, curriculums, books, signage, promotional materials, and training materials, on any social media platform.
Boulder Designs emphasizes that franchisees must not contest the company's ownership or rights to its common law rights, copyrights, trade dress, trade secrets, confidential information, the system, methods, procedures, or any other intellectual property rights associated with the Boulder Designs system. This extends to the company's right to register, use, or license these elements to others, subject to the limitations outlined in the Franchise Agreement. All ideas, concepts, techniques, or materials concerning the franchised business, whether or not they are protectable intellectual property and regardless of who creates them, must be disclosed to Boulder Designs and will be deemed the company's sole and exclusive property.