Does Churchs Chicken have any patents or patent applications material to the franchise system?
Churchs_Chicken Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
There are no patents or patent applications that are material to the franchise system. The following copyright is owned by Cajun Funding and is used in some of our commercials:
| Copyright | Copyright Number | Date of Registration |
|---|---|---|
| Mas Dicha; Sound Recording and Music | SRu001550476 | 08/14/2023 |
Cajun Funding intends to file all renewals for that copyright. There are no currently effective determinations of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the United States Copyright Office, or any court involving the copyright. We are not aware of any infringement that will materially impact your use of the copyright.
You must promptly notify us of any suspected infringement of, or challenge to, the copyright. We will control any administrative proceeding or litigation involving the copyright and will decide whether to pursue any suspected infringer. If we defend or begin litigation relating to the copyright, you must sign all documents and do what our counsel believes is necessary to carry out the defense or prosecution. Unless the litigation arises as a result of your use of the copyright in a manner inconsistent with the Franchise Agreement, we will reimburse you for your out-of-pocket costs in doing these things (except that you will still bear the salary costs of your employees). Otherwise, we are not obligated by the Franchise Agreement, or otherwise, to defend the rights granted to you to use the copyright or to defend you against claims of infringement or unfair competition. Nevertheless, it is ordinarily in our best interest to do so.
Source: Item 14 — PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION (FDD pages 47–49)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Churchs Chicken's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, there are no patents or patent applications that are material to the franchise system. However, Cajun Funding owns a copyright used in some of Churchs Chicken's commercials. The copyright is for "Mas Dicha; Sound Recording and Music" with copyright number SRu001550476, registered on August 14, 2023.
Cajun Funding intends to file all renewals for the copyright. There are no currently effective determinations of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the United States Copyright Office, or any court involving the copyright. Churchs Chicken is not aware of any infringement that will materially impact a franchisee's use of the copyright.
Franchisees must promptly notify Churchs Chicken of any suspected infringement of, or challenge to, the copyright. Churchs Chicken will control any administrative proceeding or litigation involving the copyright and will decide whether to pursue any suspected infringer. If Churchs Chicken defends or begins litigation relating to the copyright, franchisees must sign all documents and do what their counsel believes is necessary to carry out the defense or prosecution. Unless the litigation arises as a result of a franchisee's use of the copyright in a manner inconsistent with the Franchise Agreement, Churchs Chicken will reimburse the franchisee for their out-of-pocket costs in doing these things (except that the franchisee will still bear the salary costs of their employees). Otherwise, Churchs Chicken is not obligated by the Franchise Agreement, or otherwise, to defend the rights granted to franchisees to use the copyright or to defend franchisees against claims of infringement or unfair competition, but it is ordinarily in their best interest to do so.