Does the C12 Group franchise grant the right to use any items covered by a patent or copyright?
C12_Group Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
-0">ITEM 14: PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS, AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION
You do not receive the right to use any item covered by a patent or copyright, but you can use the proprietary information in the C12 Training Manual in accordance with the C12 Brand Standards guide.
The C12 Training Manual is described in Item 11 of this FDD. Item 11 also describes limitations on the use of the C12 Training Manual by you and your employees.
You also must promptly tell us when you learn about the unauthorized use of this proprietary information. We are not obligated to take any action, but we will respond to your notification of unauthorized use as we think appropriate.
C12 is the owner of several top-level internet domain names (i.e., .COM, .NET, .ORG) that have been registered with domain name registrars, including our primary websites located under the www.c12forums.com & www.JoinC12.com domain names. C12 claims copyright of these websites.
C12 owns no patents, is not the applicant with respect to any pending application for the registration of any patents and is not the licensee of any patent right owned by any other party.
C12 claims common law rights and copyright protection for our proprietary materials, training and operating manuals, program materials, and other documents used in the operation of the business.
Source: Item 14 — PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS, AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION (FDD pages 34–35)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 C12 Group Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees do not receive the right to use any item covered by a patent or copyright. However, franchisees are permitted to use the proprietary information found in the C12 Training Manual, as long as it aligns with the C12 Brand Standards guide. The C12 Group also claims common law rights and copyright protection for their proprietary materials, training and operating manuals, program materials, and other documents used in the operation of the business. This includes advertising and marketing materials, meeting/facilitation materials, booklets, seminars, presentations, and software specifically developed by C12 for usage and delivery to its members and prospective members.
C12 Group owns several top-level internet domain names (i.e., .COM, .NET, .ORG) that have been registered with domain name registrars, including their primary websites located under the www.c12forums.com & www.JoinC12.com domain names, and claims copyright of these websites. Franchisees must operate their franchise in accordance with the Chair Training Manual and Workbook, and the standard practices as typically maintained in the C12 Manual and on the www.c12forums.com web portal for franchisees.
While C12 Group does not grant rights to patented or copyrighted items, they will pursue resolution if there is an infringing use that would materially affect the franchisee's use of proprietary and/or copyrighted materials, if it is in the best interest of the C12 community. If C12 Group decides to add, modify, or discontinue the use of an item or process covered by a patent or copyright, the franchisee must also comply with these changes. Franchisees are also obligated to promptly inform C12 Group of any unauthorized use of proprietary information, though C12 Group is not obligated to take any action in response.