Is the Gokhale Method's advertising materials considered proprietary intellectual property?
Gokhale_Method Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
Although we haven't filed any applications for copyright registration, we claim copyright protection as well as trade secret protection for the teaching script, Teacher's Manual, software, advertising materials, and other materials we give you for your use or for public dissemination, other proprietary information and publications we own or have acquired under license from a third party, and everything concerning the Gokhale System.
Source: Item 14 — PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS, AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION (FDD pages 25–26)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to the 2024 Gokhale Method Franchise Disclosure Document, Gokhale Method claims copyright protection, as well as trade secret protection, for its advertising materials. This means that Gokhale Method considers its advertising materials to be proprietary intellectual property.
As a Gokhale Method franchisee, you are required to use advertising materials approved by Gokhale Method and may customize templates provided by them. You are generally not allowed to use your own advertising materials. This standardization aims to maintain the goodwill and public image of the Gokhale Method system.
Upon termination of the Franchise Agreement, franchisees must cease using all of Gokhale Method's intellectual property, including advertising materials. This obligation reinforces the proprietary nature of these materials and the importance of adhering to Gokhale Method's standards to protect the brand's reputation and goodwill.