Does City Wide own any registered patents that are material to the franchise system?
City_Wide Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
CITY WIDE owns no registered patents that are material to the System. If, at the sole and absolute right of CITY WIDE, it becomes advisable at any time to acquire additional patents or copyrights, you shall be obligated to use this patent or copyright as prescribed by CITY WIDE.
CITY WIDE claims common law rights and copyright protection for the signage, promotional materials, Operating Manual, training materials, agreements, bid sheet, bid system, and any other documents and materials used in connection with the operation of the System and CITY WIDE facilities and Franchised Businesses.
There are no pending patent applications that are material to the franchise.
Source: Item 14 — PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS, AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION (FDD pages 42–43)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to City Wide's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, City Wide does not own any registered patents that are material to its franchise system. However, if City Wide deems it advisable to acquire additional patents or copyrights in the future, franchisees would be obligated to use them as prescribed by City Wide.
City Wide does claim common law rights and copyright protection for various materials used in the operation of the franchise system. These include signage, promotional materials, the operating manual, training materials, agreements, bid sheets, the bid system, and any other documents and materials used in connection with the operation of City Wide facilities and franchised businesses. The FDD also states that there are no pending patent applications that are material to the franchise.
Prospective franchisees should understand that while City Wide currently does not have any patents, they retain the right to acquire them in the future, and franchisees would be required to utilize them. Franchisees should also be aware of the extensive list of materials for which City Wide claims copyright protection, as this dictates what materials franchisees are allowed to use and how they can be used.