Is the Bumper Man invoicing software considered proprietary software?

According to Bumper Man's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the invoicing software is considered proprietary. Bumper Man claims copyright protection in the invoicing software installed on the iPad Mini that is loaned to franchisees. The FDD specifies that this software is proprietary to Bumper Man.

As a franchisee, this means you will be using software that Bumper Man owns and has copyright protection over. You do not own the software, but you are granted the right to use it as part of your franchise operations. This is a common arrangement in franchising, where franchisors provide proprietary tools and systems to maintain consistency and control across all franchise locations.

It is important to note that as a Bumper Man franchisee, you will be responsible for protecting the confidentiality of this software and other confidential information. You are also obligated to inform Bumper Man if you develop any improvements to the system, as these improvements will become the sole property of Bumper Man. This ensures that Bumper Man can maintain and enhance its system for the benefit of all franchisees.