Does Cinnabon have any agreements that significantly limit a franchisee's right to use Cinnabon's copyrights?

According to Cinnabon's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, there are currently no agreements in effect that would significantly limit a franchisee's right to use Cinnabon's copyrights. Cinnabon claims copyrights on its manuals, recipes, building designs, architectural renderings, construction plans, forms, advertisements, images, art, photography, promotional materials, and other written materials. Franchisees must adhere to the proper use and marking of these copyrighted materials as specified in Cinnabon's manuals.

Furthermore, the FDD states that there are no currently effective determinations from the USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office), the Copyright Office (Library of Congress), or any court that would impact these copyrights. Cinnabon is also unaware of any infringing uses or superior prior rights that could materially affect a franchisee's use of these copyrights in the state where their bakery will be located. The franchisee's obligations, as well as Cinnabon's, to protect the franchisee's right to use the copyrights are the same as the obligations for Proprietary Marks, which are described in Item 13 of the FDD.

This indicates that Cinnabon aims to provide its franchisees with the necessary rights to utilize its copyrighted materials without significant encumbrances. However, it is important for prospective franchisees to carefully review Item 13 of the FDD to fully understand the obligations related to protecting the Proprietary Marks, as these obligations extend to the use of Cinnabon's copyrights as well. Franchisees should also stay informed about any updates or changes to these policies as outlined in the Cinnabon manuals to ensure continued compliance.