What items does Creative World School claim copyrights in?
Creative_World_School Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
There are no patents, pending patent applications, or registered copyrights that are material to the franchise.
We claim copyrights in the Manuals, the building design, the interior decor and the curricular lesson plans, "Art" (paintings, pictures, photographs, murals, drawings, sculptures and other forms of art we designate), learning systems, menus, advertising materials and related items used in operating the franchise. These copyrights have not been registered with the United States Registrar of Copyrights.
The Manuals and other materials we possess contain our confidential information. This information includes site selection criteria; curricular, lesson plans, educational programs and standards; methods, formats, specifications, standards, systems, procedures and sales and marketing techniques used, and knowledge of and experience, in developing and operating Schools; marketing and advertising programs for Schools; knowledge of specifications for and suppliers of certain fixtures, furnishings, equipment, products, materials and supplies; and knowledge of the operating results and financial performance of Schools other than your School.
All ideas, concepts, techniques, lesson plans, Art, curricular or materials relating to a School (including architectural layouts, designs, plans and decor), whether or not constituting protectable intellectual property, and whether created by or on behalf of you or your owners, must be promptly disclosed to us, will be considered our property and part of our franchise system and will be considered to be works made-for-hire for us. You and your owners must sign whatever documents we request to evidence our ownership or to assist us in securing intellectual property rights in such Art, ideas, concepts, techniques or materials.
Source: Item 14 — PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION (FDD pages 50–51)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Creative World School FDD, the company claims copyrights in several items related to the franchise's operation. These include the manuals, building design, interior decor, and curricular lesson plans. Additionally, Creative World School asserts copyright ownership over "Art" (defined as paintings, pictures, photographs, murals, drawings, sculptures, and other forms of art they designate), learning systems, menus, advertising materials, and related items used in operating the franchise.
It is important to note that while Creative World School claims these copyrights, they have not been registered with the United States Registrar of Copyrights. This means that while the company believes it owns these materials, it has not taken the formal legal step of registering them with the U.S. Copyright Office.
For a prospective franchisee, this means that you are expected to use these copyrighted materials as part of your franchise operation. Any unauthorized use or reproduction of these materials could potentially lead to legal issues with Creative World School. Furthermore, any ideas, concepts, techniques, lesson plans, Art, curricular or materials relating to a School (including architectural layouts, designs, plans and decor), whether or not constituting protectable intellectual property, and whether created by or on behalf of you or your owners, must be promptly disclosed to Creative World School, will be considered their property and part of their franchise system and will be considered to be works made-for-hire for them.