Does the Epcon Communities Development System include copyrighted and patented material?
Epcon_Communities Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- c) Databases. The Databases include all information accessible from Epcon Communities through the Web Site, which may include, but is not limited to, technical and other specifications, sales, marketing and training materials, online training modules and related documents, online libraries of manuals, articles and sample documents, pricing, advice, and other data and information. All data and information available in the Databases is proprietary, confidential and the sole property of Epcon Communities (or of third parties licensing such information to Epcon Communities) and contain copyrighted and patented material.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 86–280)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Epcon Communities' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the Databases accessible through the Epcon Communities Intranet contain copyrighted and patented material. The Intranet includes the website and related services, such as its Databases and bulletin board service. This Intranet provides franchisees with access to technical specifications, sales, marketing, and training materials, online training modules, manuals, articles, sample documents, pricing, and advice.
Epcon Communities retains sole ownership of all data within the Intranet, including mail messages and files. Franchisees are granted a limited, non-transferable, and non-exclusive license to use the Epcon Communities Intranet for internal business operations. This license is restricted to the franchisee and their employees and must comply with the franchise agreement and any Intranet policies.
Franchisees are prohibited from building, licensing, transferring, reproducing, or duplicating the Epcon Communities Works or any derivatives, except as expressly allowed in the agreement. Copyright notices on provided documentation must remain intact on all authorized copies. Unauthorized use of copyrighted works constitutes copyright infringement, highlighting the importance of adhering to the franchise agreement's terms regarding the use of Epcon Communities' intellectual property.