Are there any effective determinations of the United States Patent and Trademark Office regarding any copyrighted materials for Buona?

According to Buona's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, there are currently no effective determinations from the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the United States Copyright Office, or any court regarding copyrighted materials related to the Buona franchise system. Buona does not own any patents or have any pending patent applications that are material to the Buona business. While Buona has not filed for any copyrights, they assert common law copyright rights over their manual, advertising and marketing materials, menus, and website.

This means that as of the FDD date, no legal or administrative rulings exist that would limit Buona's ability to use its copyrighted materials. However, Buona does claim common law copyright rights over various materials. Common law copyright arises automatically upon creation of an original work, but it may be more difficult to enforce than a registered copyright.

As a franchisee, you are permitted to use Buona's proprietary information within the guidelines of the Franchise Agreement. It is important to adhere to these guidelines, as any unauthorized use of the copyrighted materials could lead to legal issues. Upon termination or expiration of the Franchise Agreement, all materials containing proprietary information must be either destroyed or returned to Buona. Prospective franchisees should consult with an attorney to fully understand the implications of common law copyright and the restrictions on using Buona's materials.