Does Exit claim a copyright in various advertising and sales promotion materials used in connection with the Exit System?
Exit Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Although EXIT does not own federally determined rights in copyright materials and has not filed an Application for Copyright Registration for the Training Manuals, the information in the Training Manuals is proprietary, and EXIT claims a copyright to the entire Training Manuals and in various advertising and sales promotion materials used in connection with the EXIT System. You may not copy any of EXIT's confidential information or give it to a third party, except as EXIT authorizes. You must also promptly tell us when you learn about unauthorized use of this Proprietary Information. EXIT Realty Upper Midwest is not obligated to take any action but will respond to this information as we think appropriate. EXIT has the right to control any litigation involving Proprietary Information. EXIT or EXIT Realty Upper Midwest will defend you for claims by a third party concerning your use of this Proprietary Information.
Source: Item 14 — PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION (FDD page 27)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Exit's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, while Exit Realty Upper Midwest does not own federally determined rights in copyright materials and has not filed for Copyright Registration for the Training Manuals, Exit claims a copyright to the entire Training Manuals and in various advertising and sales promotion materials used in connection with the Exit System.
This means that as a franchisee, you are permitted to use copyrighted material owned by Exit. However, you are prohibited from copying any of Exit's confidential information or providing it to a third party, unless authorized by Exit. Franchisees are obligated to promptly inform Exit of any unauthorized use of this proprietary information.
Exit retains the right to control any litigation involving Proprietary Information and will defend franchisees against third-party claims concerning their use of this Proprietary Information.