What is the definition of 'Next-Gen Payments Solution' for Even Hotels, as defined in the agreement?
Even_Hotels Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
The Next-Gen Payments Solution replaces the secure payment solution previously in use by IHG and Hotel and is supported by key third party providers including FreedomPay, Inc. ("FreedomPay"), Oracle Corporation ("Oracle"), Hewlett-Packard, Inc. ("HPI"), Hewlett-Packard Financial Services Company ("HPFS"), Fiserv, Inc. ("Fiserv," together with FreedomPay, Oracle, HPI, and HPFS, the "Third Party Providers"). Hotel desires to procure from IHG, and IHG desires to provide to Hotel, the Next-Gen Payments Solution, pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, that will consist of hardware, software, and services including those provided by the Third Party Providers.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 99–438)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Even Hotels' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the Next-Gen Payments Solution replaces the secure payment solution previously used by IHG and the Hotel. It is supported by third-party providers including FreedomPay, Inc., Oracle Corporation, Hewlett-Packard, Inc., Hewlett-Packard Financial Services Company, and Fiserv, Inc. The Next-Gen Payments Solution consists of hardware, software, and services provided by these third-party providers.
Even Hotels franchisees are required to use IHG's Next-Gen Payments Solution for processing card payments. During the term of the agreement, IHG grants the franchisee a limited, personal, revocable, nonexclusive, and non-transferable right to access and use the Next-Gen Payments Solution solely for the internal business purposes of the Hotel, subject to the terms of the agreement and the Third Party Terms.
Franchisees are restricted from transmitting the Next-Gen Payments Solution to any third party or network, using it in a service bureau or time-sharing arrangement, copying or sublicensing it, creating derivative works, reverse engineering it, bypassing security features, or using it in any way that infringes intellectual property rights or violates applicable laws. Franchisees are also responsible for testing the Next-Gen Payments Solution, ensuring proper use by personnel, accurately entering information, and reporting any software errors to IHG. IHG owns all intellectual property rights to the Next-Gen Payments Solution and any related documentation.