What happens to ideas and concepts created by a Bumper Man franchisee that improve the system?
Bumper_Man Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
(b) Ideas and Concepts. From time to time in connection with the operation of the Bumper Business, Franchisee may create or develop Ideas and Concepts that Franchisee believes will improve the System or the Bumper Man businesses. Franchisee will promptly disclose such Ideas and Concepts to Franchisor and will not implement such Ideas and Concepts without the prior written approval of Franchisor. Franchisor may elect to use or adopt such Ideas and Concepts if Franchisor determines that such adoption or use will benefit the System. If Franchisor uses or adopts any of such Ideas and Concepts, they will be deemed to be part of the System. Franchisee will be recognized as Franchisor determines appropriate for such Ideas and Concepts. All Ideas and Concepts, whether or not constituting protectable Intellectual Property, and whether created by or on behalf of Franchisee, any Principal or Personnel in connection with the Bumper Business, will be deemed to be Franchisor's sole and exclusive Intellectual Property. Franchisee, on behalf of itself and its Principals and all Personnel, hereby assign all rights in any Ideas and Concepts to Franchisor or any of its Affiliates and will execute and deliver all such additional instruments and documents as Franchisor may request to evidence the assignment and Franchisor's or any of its Affiliate's ownership of such Ideas and Concepts.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 45–180)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Bumper Man Franchise Disclosure Document, if a franchisee develops ideas or concepts they believe will improve the Bumper Man system, they must promptly disclose these to Bumper Man. The franchisee cannot implement these ideas without prior written approval from Bumper Man.
If Bumper Man decides to use or adopt these ideas, they become part of the Bumper Man system, and Bumper Man will recognize the franchisee as it deems appropriate. All ideas and concepts, whether or not they are protectable intellectual property, become Bumper Man's sole and exclusive intellectual property.
The franchisee, on behalf of themselves, their principals, and personnel, assigns all rights to these ideas and concepts to Bumper Man or its affiliates. The franchisee must also execute and deliver any additional documents Bumper Man requests to evidence the assignment and Bumper Man's ownership of the ideas and concepts.