What copyrighted items does Goldfish Swim School own that are part of the System?
Goldfish_Swim_School Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
No patents are material to the franchise. We own copyrights in the Confidential Brand Standards Manual, our swim lesson curriculum, our employee training manuals, our website, our marketing materials and other copyrightable items that are part of the System.
You may use these items only as we specify while operating the franchised swim school and you must stop using them if we direct you to do so.
We know of no effective determinations of the U.S. Copyright Office or any court regarding any of our copyrighted materials. Our right to use or license copyrighted items is not materially limited by any agreement or known infringing use.
Source: Item 14 — PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION (FDD pages 51–52)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Goldfish Swim School FDD, Goldfish Swim School owns copyrights to several items that are part of their franchise system. These include the Confidential Brand Standards Manual, the swim lesson curriculum, employee training manuals, the company website, and marketing materials. As a franchisee, you are allowed to use these copyrighted items, but only as specified by Goldfish Swim School while you are operating your franchised swim school. If Goldfish Swim School directs you to stop using these items, you must comply.
This means that as a franchisee, you will be provided with the necessary materials to run your Goldfish Swim School, but you do not own these materials. You are essentially licensing the use of these copyrighted items from Goldfish Swim School. This is a common practice in franchising, as it allows the franchisor to maintain control over the brand and ensure consistency across all locations.
The FDD also states that Goldfish Swim School is not aware of any effective determinations of the U.S. Copyright Office or any court regarding their copyrighted materials. Additionally, their right to use or license copyrighted items is not materially limited by any agreement or known infringing use. This provides some assurance that the franchisee's use of these materials will not be disrupted by any legal challenges.