Does Expense Reduction Analysts claim common law copyright in its advertising materials?
Expense_Reduction_Analysts Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Although we have not filed an application for a copyright registration for our Manuals or advertising materials, we claim common law copyright in these materials and all other proprietary materials that we and/or our principals develop for use in connection with the System or a Franchised Business.
Source: Item 14 — PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS, AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION (FDD pages 39–40)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Expense Reduction Analysts' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, while they have not filed for copyright registration, they do claim common law copyright on their advertising materials. This means that Expense Reduction Analysts believes it inherently owns the copyright to these materials simply by creating them.
As a franchisee, this implies that you are authorized to use the advertising materials provided by Expense Reduction Analysts, but you do not own the copyright to them. You must also respect Expense Reduction Analysts' copyright and avoid unauthorized use or distribution of these materials.
Expense Reduction Analysts may revise their system and copyrighted materials and require franchisees to cease using outdated copyrighted material. The franchisee is responsible for printing any revised or new advertising, marketing, or other business materials.