Does Chicken Guy claim copyright protection in its Manual?

Franchisee acknowledges receipt on loan of Chicken Guy's confidential and proprietary Manual, which contains the System standards, which include detailed standards, specifications, instructions, requirements, methods and procedures for the operation of the Franchised Restaurant. The Manual also may relate to the selection, purchase, storage, preparation, packaging, ingredients, recipes, service and sale of all products and beverages sold at the Franchised Restaurant; operations training; marketing, advertising and sales promotions; maintenance and repair of the Franchised Restaurant building, grounds, equipment, graphics, signs, interior and exterior décor items, fixtures and furnishings; employee dress attire and appearance standards; menu concept and graphics; and other business procedures. Chicken Guy may modify the Manual and Franchisee shall comply with all modified System standards. Franchisee agrees at all times to operate the Franchised Restaurant in strict conformity with the Manual; to maintain the Manual at the Franchised Restaurant; to not reproduce the Manual or any part of it; and to treat the Manual as confidential and proprietary, and; to disclose the contents of the Manual only to those employees of Franchisee who have a need to know. Franchisee shall keep its copy of the Manual current and up-to-date with all additions and deletions provided by or on behalf of Chicken Guy and shall purchase whatever equipment and related services (including, without limitation, computer system, Internet service, dedicated phone line, facsimile machine, etc.) as may be necessary to receive these communications. If a dispute relating to the contents of the Manual develops, the master copy maintained by Chicken Guy at its principal offices shall control.

11. MODIFICATIONS OF THE SYSTEM

• **A.

System Modifications.** Chicken Guy, in its sole discretion, shall be entitled from time to time to change or modify the System, including modifications to the Manual, the menu and menu formats, the required equipment, the signage, the building and premises of the Franchised Restaurant (including the trade dress, décor and color schemes), the presentation of the Proprietary Marks, the adoption of new administrative forms and methods of reporting and of payment of any monies owed to Chicken Guy (including electronic means of reporting and payment) and the adoption and use of new or modified Proprietary Marks or copyrighted materials.

Source: Item 14 — PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION (FDD pages 38–39)