What does Epcon Communities have the right to do with the Work once it is assigned to them in the Copyright Assignment & Agreement?
Epcon_Communities Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Architect hereby irrevocably transfers, conveys and assigns all worldwide right, title and interest in the copyright of each such Work in all formats and media, whether now existing or hereafter devised, including all electronic and future media, all translations and all primary and subsidiary rights, to Epcon.
The rights transferred include but are not limited to the right to bring suit, collect damages and pursue all remedies for past infringement, all copyrights registrations of the Work, and the right to secure any copyright registrations, renewals, reissues or extensions of any such copyrights throughout the world, the right to register the copyright in Epcon's name, the right to license, sell, assign or otherwise exploit the Work as it sees fit in its sole discretion, the right to reproduce, alter, expand, change, modify and adapt the Work, and the sole right to decide whether and in what manner to publish, advertise, publicize, and exploit the Work.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 86–280)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Epcon Communities' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, once the Architect assigns the copyright of the Work to Epcon Communities, Epcon Communities has extensive rights regarding that Work. These rights include the ability to bring suit, collect damages, and pursue remedies for past infringement. Epcon Communities also has the right to register copyrights for the Work in its own name and to secure any copyright registrations, renewals, reissues, or extensions worldwide.
Furthermore, Epcon Communities has the right to license, sell, assign, or otherwise exploit the Work as it sees fit, at its sole discretion. This includes the right to reproduce, alter, expand, change, modify, and adapt the Work. Epcon Communities also has the sole right to decide whether and in what manner to publish, advertise, publicize, and exploit the Work.
In essence, Epcon Communities gains complete control over the Work's copyright and all associated rights, allowing them to use, modify, and distribute the Work as they deem appropriate. This ensures that Epcon Communities can protect and leverage its intellectual property effectively. This also means that the franchisee gives up control of any architectural works created for them by an architect or contractor who changes, modifies, or revises an Epcon Works.