Are pet grooming techniques considered confidential information for a Hydrodog franchise?
Hydrodog Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- (a) methods, formats, specifications, standards, systems, procedures, sales and marketing techniques, knowledge and experience used in developing and operating your HydroDog Business (including, without limitation, the System Standards);
- (b) market research and promotional, marketing and advertising programs for your HydroDog Business;
- (c) client communication programs, along with data used or generated in connection with those programs;
- (d) the System and the know-how related to its use;
- (e) plans, specifications, size and physical characteristics of the HydroDog Businesses, HydroDog Vehicles;
- (f) Territory selection criteria;
- (g) design of equipment, furniture, forms, materials and supplies;
- (h) training for the HydroDog Businesses;
- (i) methods, techniques, formats, specifications, procedures, information and systems related to and knowledge of and experience in the development, operation and franchising of the HydroDog Businesses;
- (j) knowledge of specifications for certain Products and Supplies and suppliers of certain Products and Supplies;
- (k) pet grooming techniques, products and services;
- (l) the Client Database (as described in Section 9.5 below); and
- (m) knowledge of operating results and financial performance of the HydroDog Businesses other than those operated by you (or your affiliates).
- 9.2 Restriction on Use of Confidential Information. You acknowledge and agree that you will not acquire any interest in Confidential Information, other than the right to use certain Confidential Information in operating your HydroDog Business during this Agreement's term and according to this Agreement's terms and conditions, and that your use of any Confidential Information for any purpose not expressly authorized by this Agreement would constitute an unfair method of competition with us and our franchisees and may violate certain laws. You further acknowledge and agree that the Confidential Information is proprietary, includes our trade secrets, and is disclosed to you only on the condition that you, your Owners, managers, employees and/or independent contractors who have access to it agree, and they do agree, that you and they:
- (a) Will not use any Confidential Information in any other business or capacity;
- (b) Will keep the Confidential Information strictly confidential during and indefinitely after this Agreement's term;
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 43–166)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Hydrodog's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, pet grooming techniques are considered confidential information. As a Hydrodog franchisee, you acknowledge that you will not acquire any interest in the confidential information, other than the right to use certain confidential information in operating your HydroDog Business during the agreement's term. Using any confidential information for purposes not expressly authorized by the agreement would be considered an unfair method of competition.
Hydrodog considers its confidential information proprietary and includes its trade secrets. This information is disclosed to you only on the condition that you, your owners, managers, employees, and/or independent contractors who have access to it agree to keep it strictly confidential during and indefinitely after the agreement's term. You are also prohibited from making unauthorized copies of any confidential information disclosed via electronic medium or in written or other tangible form.
As a Hydrodog franchisee, you must disclose to Hydrodog all ideas, techniques, services, and products concerning the development and operation of your HydroDog Business that you or your employees conceive or develop during the term of the agreement. You must also grant Hydrodog a perpetual, irrevocable, royalty-free, non-exclusive, transferable, and worldwide right to use, modify, exploit, and sublicense these ideas, techniques, innovations, improvements, and products in all pet-related product and service businesses. These ideas, techniques, services, and products will be deemed Hydrodog's sole and exclusive property and part of the System.