Until what date is the 'Universal Redemption Vehicle' patent valid for Crowne Plaza?
Crowne_Plaza Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
On September 19, 2019 the USPTO issued SCH a utility patent for a "Universal Redemption Vehicle" (which vehicle supports the "Redeem Anywhere" concept) under Patent No. 10,417,645. This patent is valid until April 20, 2026.
Source: Item 14 — Patents, Copyrights, and Proprietary Information (FDD page 85)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Crowne Plaza Franchise Disclosure Document, a utility patent was issued to SCH by the USPTO on September 19, 2019, for a "Universal Redemption Vehicle" under Patent No. 10,417,645. This vehicle supports the "Redeem Anywhere" concept. The FDD states that this patent is valid until April 20, 2026.
This means that Crowne Plaza has exclusive rights to this technology until that date. After April 20, 2026, the patent will expire, and others may be able to use or develop similar redemption systems without infringing on Crowne Plaza's patent.
For a prospective franchisee, this information is relevant because it highlights a specific technology that Crowne Plaza utilizes and protects through a patent. It also provides a timeline for how long Crowne Plaza will have exclusive rights to this technology, which could be a factor in assessing the long-term value and competitive advantage of the franchise.