What does Craters & Freighters consider to be Copyrighted Works?
Craters_Freighters Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
The information contained in the Operations Manuals is proprietary and is protected by copyright and other laws. The Operations Manuals and the limitations of the use of it by you and your employees are described in Item 11 and the Franchise Agreement. The designs contained in the Marks, the layout of our advertising materials, as well as any other writings, recordings in print or electronic form are also protected by copyright and other laws. Although we have not filed an application for copyright registration for the Operations Manuals, the trademarks, our website, our computer software programs, the advertising materials, or any other writings and recordings, we claim common law and federal copyrights in these items. We grant you the right to use this proprietary and copyrighted information ("Copyrighted Works") in connection with your operation of your Franchised Business, but these copyrights remain our sole property.
Source: Item 14 — PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION (FDD pages 34–35)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Craters & Freighters's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the company considers several items to be protected by copyright and other laws. These "Copyrighted Works" include the designs contained in their Marks, the layout of their advertising materials, and any other writings or recordings in print or electronic form. Craters & Freighters also considers the information contained in their Operations Manuals as proprietary and protected by copyright laws.
Although Craters & Freighters has not filed for copyright registration for items such as the Operations Manuals, trademarks, website, computer software programs, or advertising materials, they claim common law and federal copyrights in these items. The franchise agreement grants franchisees the right to use these Copyrighted Works in connection with operating their Craters & Freighters franchise. However, the FDD clearly states that these copyrights remain the sole property of Craters & Freighters.
Craters & Freighters also outlines a procedure for franchisees to follow if they suspect infringement of the company's Copyrighted Works. Franchisees must notify Craters & Freighters within three days of learning about any potential misuse of their copyrighted material. Craters & Freighters retains the sole discretion to take action to protect their rights, but they are not obligated to take any specific action. Franchisees are prohibited from contesting Craters & Freighters's rights to their Copyrighted Works and must cooperate fully in any legal proceedings initiated by the company to protect these rights.