Does the Gokhale Method claim trade secret protection for everything concerning the Gokhale System?
Gokhale_Method Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
- 10.2. Intellectual Property. You recognize and agree that the Gokhale Method is comprised of intellectual property, trade secrets, and proprietary information that we own.
You agree that we own that property and you will not dispute our ownership.
- 10.3. Confidentiality. We may designate any information provided to you as "Confidential," and you agree that you will not disclose it, during or after this agreement, except as we may, in writing, permit you to do so.
Included in our Confidential Information are the Teachers' Manual; teaching scripts and Policy Statements; the information, know-how and techniques that we have imparted to you; proprietary software; and any other information we have provided to you that is not available to the general public.
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, the Gokhale Method asserts that its method comprises intellectual property, trade secrets, and proprietary information. As a franchisee, you acknowledge Gokhale Method's ownership of this intellectual property and agree not to contest it. The agreement specifies that Gokhale Method may designate information provided to the franchisee as "Confidential," which the franchisee must not disclose during or after the agreement, unless expressly permitted in writing by Gokhale Method.
The confidential information includes the Teachers' Manual, teaching scripts, policy statements, imparted know-how and techniques, proprietary software, and any other non-public information provided to the franchisee. This broad definition suggests that Gokhale Method seeks to protect a wide array of information related to the Gokhale System as trade secrets.
As a Gokhale Method franchisee, you are obligated to maintain the standards of operation as detailed in the Teachers' Manual and policy statements. You must deliver the Gokhale System in approved formats and avoid deviations from the franchisor's standards without prior written consent. Furthermore, you cannot allow other individuals to teach the Gokhale System without explicit written consent from Gokhale Method. These stipulations reinforce the franchisor's control over the Gokhale System and its protection as a trade secret.
During the term of the agreement, franchisees receive specialized training and confidential information regarding the Gokhale Method and its techniques. Franchisees are prohibited from diverting customers to competitors or engaging in any actions that could harm the goodwill associated with the Gokhale Method and its system. This further emphasizes the importance of protecting the Gokhale Method's trade secrets and proprietary information.