Are the promotional literature published by Cornwell Quality Tools copyrighted?
Cornwell_Quality_Tools Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Cornwell publishes promotional literature, which is copyrighted, and which is made available to you at low or no cost. Although Cornwell has not filed an application for a copyright registration for the Operations Guide and IBN Software, it claims a copyright and the information is proprietary. The Operations Guide is described in Item 11. You must promptly tell us when you learn about unauthorized use of this proprietary information. Cornwell is not obligated to take any action, but will respond to this information, as it deems appropriate.
Source: Item 14 — PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION (FDD page 56)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Cornwell Quality Tools's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the promotional literature that Cornwell Quality Tools publishes is copyrighted. This literature is made available to franchisees at a low cost or at no cost. Cornwell Quality Tools also claims a copyright on its Operations Guide and IBN Software, even though it has not filed for a copyright registration. This information is considered proprietary.
As a Cornwell Quality Tools franchisee, you are required to notify Cornwell Quality Tools if you become aware of any unauthorized use of their proprietary information. While Cornwell Quality Tools is not obligated to take action, they will respond to the information as they see fit.
This means that franchisees can use the promotional literature provided by Cornwell Quality Tools for their business. However, franchisees must protect Cornwell Quality Tools's copyrighted and proprietary information, such as the Operations Guide and IBN Software, from unauthorized use.