If a Dryject franchisee develops new trademarks, who becomes the owner?

According to the 2025 Dryject Franchise Disclosure Document, Dryject immediately becomes the sole owner and licensor of any new trademarks, service marks, trade names, trade symbols, trade dress, signs, slogans, associated logos, designs, e-marks, copyrights, emblems, patents, formulas, concepts, processes, or improvements that a franchisee develops in the operation or promotion of the franchised business. This means that while a franchisee may innovate and improve aspects of their Dryject business, the legal ownership of any resulting intellectual property automatically vests in Dryject.

This clause is significant for prospective franchisees because it clarifies that any creative work or innovation related to the Dryject business, even if developed independently by the franchisee, becomes the property of Dryject. The franchisee essentially agrees to assign all rights to such innovations to Dryject. This is a fairly standard practice in franchising, as it allows the franchisor to maintain consistent branding and operational standards across the entire franchise system.

For a potential Dryject franchisee, this underscores the importance of understanding the intellectual property ownership terms within the franchise agreement. While franchisees benefit from using Dryject's established trademarks and systems, they also relinquish control over any new trademarks or operational improvements they might develop. This arrangement ensures uniformity and protects the brand's integrity but also limits the franchisee's ability to independently commercialize innovations related to the Dryject business.