What is the Dryject franchisee's obligation if they develop improvements in the operation of the franchised business?
Dryject Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
t protectable intellectual property, and whether created by or for You or Your Owners or employees. All Innovations will
be deemed Our sole and exclusive property and works made-for-hire for Us. We have the right to incorporate Innovations into the System and may use them and may authorize You and others to use them in the operation of DryJect businesses. Innovations will then also constitute Confidential Information. We will disclose to You Innovations that are made a part of the System in this manner. To the extent any Innovation does not qualify as a work made-for-hire for Us, by this paragraph You assign ownership of that Innovation, and all intellectual property and other rights to the Innovation, to Us and agree to sign and deliver such instruments and documents, provide such assistance and perform such other acts as We periodically designate in order for Us or Our designee to obtain exclusive rights in such Innovations. We will have no obligation to make any lump sum or other payments to You or any other person with respect to any such Innovations. You will not use, nor will You allow any other person to use, any such Innovations, whether in connection with the Franchised Business or otherwise, without obtaining Our prior written approval. You also agree that if You shall develop any new trademarks, service marks, trade names and trade symbols, trade dress, signs, slogans, associated logos, designs, e-marks, copyrights, emblems, patents, formulas, concepts, processes or improvements in the operation or promotion of the Franchised Business, We will immediately become sole owner and licensor.
Source: Item 8 — BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP (FDD pages 68–229)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Dryject's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, any innovations or improvements developed by a franchisee in the operation or promotion of the franchised business immediately become the sole property of Dryject. These innovations are considered works made-for-hire for Dryject. This includes new trademarks, service marks, trade names, trade symbols, trade dress, signs, slogans, associated logos, designs, e-marks, copyrights, emblems, patents, formulas, concepts, processes.
Dryject has the right to incorporate these innovations into their system and authorize franchisees and others to use them. These innovations also become Dryject's confidential information, which Dryject will disclose to the franchisee if they are made part of the system. The franchisee is required to assign ownership of the innovation and all related intellectual property to Dryject and must sign documents and provide assistance to ensure Dryject obtains exclusive rights to the innovations.
Importantly, the franchisee will not receive any lump sum or other payments for these innovations. The franchisee is prohibited from using the innovations, whether in connection with the franchised business or otherwise, without Dryject's prior written approval. This clause ensures that Dryject maintains complete control over any improvements or new developments related to the Dryject system, which is a common practice in franchising to maintain brand consistency and protect intellectual property.