What does Engel & Volkers consider to be Proprietary Information?
Engel_Volkers Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
For avoidance of doubt, "Confidential Information" includes (without limitation) all information, knowledge, trade secrets or know-how utilized or embraced by the ENGEL & VÖLKERS System and/or imparted to Franchisee by Franchisor or any of Franchisor's affiliates which concerns Franchisor's systems of operation, programs, services, products, customers, clients, prospective customers or client, practices, materials, books, records, manuals, computer files, databases or software; all elements of the ENGEL & VÖLKERS System; all programs, products, services, equipment, technologies, policies, standards, requirements, criteria and procedures that now or in the future are a part of the ENGEL & VÖLKERS System; the System Documentation; all specifications, procedures, systems, techniques and activities employed by Franchisor in the offer and sale of services, programs, and/or products at or from Franchisee's Residential Real Estate Brokerage; all Franchisor's sources (or prospective sources) of supply and all information pertaining to same; the specifications, and Franchisee's final plans, for the construction, build out, design, renovation, décor, equipment, signage, furniture, fixtures and trade dress elements of Franchisee's office; the identity of, and all information relating to, the computer systems and software utilized by Franchisor and Franchisee hereunder; all information pertaining to Franchisor's and Franchisee's advertising, marketing, promotion and merchandising campaigns, activities, materials, specifications and procedures; all customer lists, data and records generated and/or otherwise maintained by Franchisee's franchised Business; Franchisor's (and, if in the future Franchisor permits, Franchisee's) internet/web protocols, procedures and content (including electronic data, data files, user names and passwords); Franchisor's training and other instructional programs and materials; all elements of Franchisor's staff training and staff certification policies and procedures; all communications between Franchisor and Franchisee; additions or improvements to, deletions from and modifications and variations of the components of the ENGEL & VÖLKERS System and the other systems and methods of operations which Franchisor employs now or in the future; research, development and test programs for services and operations; and, all other information, knowledge and know-how which either Franchisor or its affiliates, now or in the future, designate as confidential.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 88)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Engel & Volkers' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Confidential Information includes a wide array of business and operational details related to the Engel & Volkers System. This encompasses knowledge, trade secrets, and know-how utilized within the Engel & Volkers System, as well as information shared by Engel & Volkers or its affiliates. This extends to systems of operation, programs, services, products, customer data, practices, materials, records, manuals, computer files, databases, and software. All elements of the Engel & Volkers System are considered confidential.
Specifically, Engel & Volkers considers programs, products, services, equipment, technologies, policies, standards, requirements, criteria, and procedures that are currently or will be part of the Engel & Volkers System as confidential. The System Documentation, specifications, procedures, systems, techniques, and activities used in offering and selling services, programs, and products at a franchised Engel & Volkers Residential Real Estate Brokerage are also included. Furthermore, all sources of supply, specifications, and the franchisee's final plans for construction, design, renovation, décor, equipment, signage, furniture, fixtures, and trade dress elements of the franchisee's office are deemed confidential.
Engel & Volkers also considers the identity of and information related to computer systems and software, advertising, marketing, promotion, merchandising campaigns, customer lists, data, records, internet/web protocols, training programs, staffing policies, and communications between Engel & Volkers and the franchisee as confidential. Additions, improvements, deletions, modifications, and variations of the Engel & Volkers System, research, development, and test programs for services and operations, and any other information designated as confidential by Engel & Volkers or its affiliates, now or in the future, are also included. Franchisees must maintain the confidentiality of this information and ensure their staff and advisors do as well.