Can a Hydrodog franchisee make copies of the Confidential Information?
Hydrodog Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
are confidential. You acknowledge that we and the Franchisor have provided you with specialized and extensive training regarding the Business and that we have developed extensive customer goodwill. We have an obligation under our Franchise Agreement to maintain the Confidential Information as secret and confidential. You represent to us and the Franchisor that you have other skills that you can utilize if, for any reason, your relationship with us ends.
OPERATIVE TERMS:
Accordingly, you and we agree as follows:
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- Confidentiality. You will (a) not use the Confidential Information in any other business or capacity; (b) maintain the absolute confidentiality of the Confidential Information during and after the term of the Franchise Agreement and your employment by, or association with, us; (c) not make unauthorized copies of any portion of the Confidential Information disclosed in written form; and (d) comply with all procedures we prescribe from time to time to prevent unauthorized use or disclosure of the Confidential Information.
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- Competitive Restrictions.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 43–166)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Hydrodog's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are generally prohibited from making unauthorized copies of confidential information. The FDD states that franchisees will not make unauthorized copies of any portion of the Confidential Information disclosed in written form. Franchisees must also use the highest degree of care to safeguard the confidentiality of the Confidential Information and not make any copies of the Confidential Information (printed or an intangible form).
Hydrodog provides manuals (either printed or online) to franchisees, which contain confidential and proprietary information. Franchisees must maintain printed manuals in a secure location with access limited to authorized personnel who have signed confidentiality agreements. Franchisees may not copy, duplicate, record, or reproduce any part of the manuals, except as necessary for training authorized personnel or as explicitly permitted in writing by Hydrodog. Any permitted copies must be marked as "Confidential" and maintained with the same level of security as the original manuals.
These restrictions are typical in franchising to protect the franchisor's intellectual property and trade secrets. Prospective Hydrodog franchisees should understand that strict adherence to these confidentiality obligations is required, and unauthorized copying or disclosure of confidential information could have significant legal and financial consequences.