Does the Gokhale Method include other proprietary information as proprietary intellectual property?
Gokhale_Method Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
You recognize and agree that the Gokhale Method is comprised of intellectual property, trade secrets, and proprietary information that we own.
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. You may resell products that are protected by patents owned or licensed to us, but have no rights to the underlying intellectual property.
All of this is our proprietary intellectual property.
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 is indeed comprised of intellectual property, trade secrets, and proprietary information that the franchisor owns. This proprietary information extends beyond the two patents held by Esther Gokhale, which cover ergonomic systems/devices and cushion devices.
The Gokhale Method claims copyright and trade secret protection for various materials, including the teaching script, Teacher's Manual, software, and advertising materials. It also includes other proprietary information and publications that Gokhale Method owns or licenses from third parties, and everything concerning the Gokhale System. All of this is considered Gokhale Method's proprietary intellectual property.
As a franchisee, you may resell products protected by Gokhale Method's patents, but you will not have any rights to the underlying intellectual property. The franchise agreement does not require Gokhale Method to protect the patents or copyrights, or to defend or indemnify you if a third party sues you for infringement for using their patented products. Additionally, the franchise agreement does not provide you with any rights if Gokhale Method decides to modify or discontinue the subject matter of the patents and copyrights.