How is information specifically designated as confidential for a Hyper Kidz franchise?
Hyper_Kidz Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
Works and/or for you to use one or more additional or substitute copyrighted or copyrightable items, you agree to immediately comply with our directions to modify or otherwise discontinue the use of the copyrighted materials and/or to use one or more substitute materials.
ARTICLE 8: CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
8.1 Definition of "Confidential Information"
We possess and will further develop and acquire "Confidential Information" including, but not limited to, the following categories of information, methods, techniques, procedures, and knowledge developed or to be developed by us, our Affiliates and/or franchisees:
- (a) methods, techniques, specifications, standards, policies, procedures, information, concepts and systems relating to and knowledge of and experience in the development, operation, and franchising of Hyper Kidz Businesses;
- (b) marketing and promotional programs for Hyper Kidz Businesses;
- (c) knowledge of specifications for and knowledge of suppliers of certain materials, equipment and fixtures for Hyper Kidz Businesses;
- (d) the terms of this Agreement;
- (e) the Operations Manual; and
- (f) all data relating to the sales and operations of your Hyper Kidz Business.
8.2 Disclosure of Confidential Information
We will disclose such parts of the Confidential Information as are required for the operation of a Hyper Kidz Business to you during training and in guidance and assistance furnished to you during the term of this Agreement, and you may learn or otherwise obtain from us additional Confidential Information during the term of this Agreement. You acknowledge and agree that neither you nor any other person or entity will acquire any interest in or right to use the Confidential Information, other than your right to utilize it in the operation of the Hyper Kidz Business, and that the use or duplication of the Confidential Information in any other business would constitute an unfair method of competition with us and other Hyper Kidz Business franchisees. You agree to disclose the Confidential Information to your Principals and to employees of the Hyper Kidz Business only to the extent reasonably necessary for the operation of the Hyper Kidz Business.
8.3 Non-Disclosure of Confidential Information
You acknowledge and agree that the Confidential Information is confidential to us and a valuable asset of ours, is proprietary, includes our trade secrets, and is disclosed to you solely on the condition that you, your Principals and your employees who have access to it agree, and you do hereby agree, that during and after the term of this Agreement, you, your Principals and such employees:
- (a) will not use the Confidential Information in any other business or capacity;
- (b) will maintain the absolute secrecy and confidentiality of the Confidential Information;
- (c) will not make unauthorized copies of any portion of the Confidential Information disclosed in written or other tangible form;
- (d) will adopt and implement all reasonable procedures prescribed from time to time by us to prevent unauthorized use or disclosure of or access to the Confidential Information; and
- (e) will require all Principals and all employees and Principals who will have access to Confidential Information, including, without limitation, managers and other personnel who attend our training programs, to execute Confidentiality and Non-Competition Agreements in the form attached hereto as Attachment 9. We shall be a third-party beneficiary of such agreements with the independent right to enforce their terms. You shall provide, at our request, executed originals of each such Confidentiality and Non-Competition Agreement. Failure to procure execution of a Confidentiality and Non-Competition Agreement shall be a material breach of this Agreement.
8.4 Use of Confidential Information
Nothing contained herein shall be construed to prohibit you from using the Confidential Information in connection with the operation of a Hyper Kidz Business, provided such operation is pursuant to a valid franchise agreement between you and us.
8.5 Restrictions on Use
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, and provided you shall have obtained our prior written consent, the restrictions on your disclosure and use of the Confidential Information shall not apply to the following: (a) information, methods, procedures, techniques and knowledge which are or become generally known in the business of the offer and sale of Approved Products and Services and Products in the United States, other than through deliberate or inadvertent disclosure by you; and (b) the disclosure of the Confidential Information in judicial or administrative proceedings to the extent that you are legally compelled to disclose such information, provided you have notified us prior to disclosure and shall have used your best efforts to obtain, and shall have afforded us the opportunity to obtain, an appropriate protective order or other assurance satisfactory to us of confidential treatment for the information required to be so disclosed.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 52)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to the 2024 Hyper Kidz Franchise Disclosure Document, confidential information includes methods, techniques, specifications, standards, policies, procedures, information, concepts, and systems relating to the development, operation, and franchising of Hyper Kidz businesses. It also encompasses marketing and promotional programs, knowledge of suppliers, the terms of the Franchise Agreement, the Operations Manual, and all data related to the sales and operations of the franchisee's Hyper Kidz Business.
Hyper Kidz will disclose confidential information required for the operation of the franchise during training and ongoing assistance. The franchisee acknowledges that they only have the right to use this information for their Hyper Kidz Business and that using or duplicating it in any other business is considered unfair competition. The franchisee can only disclose confidential information to their Principals and employees to the extent necessary for operating the Hyper Kidz Business.
The franchisee, their Principals, and employees must maintain the absolute secrecy and confidentiality of the information, avoid unauthorized copies, and implement procedures to prevent unauthorized use or disclosure. They must also ensure that all Principals and employees with access to confidential information sign Confidentiality and Non-Competition Agreements. Upon termination or expiration of the franchise agreement, the franchisee must cease using any confidential information and return all copies of the Operations Manual and other confidential materials. These measures ensure the protection of Hyper Kidz's proprietary information and trade secrets.
However, the restrictions on disclosure and use do not apply to information that becomes generally known in the business of the offer and sale of approved products and services, unless the franchisee deliberately or inadvertently discloses it. Additionally, disclosure is permitted in judicial or administrative proceedings if legally compelled, provided Hyper Kidz is notified and given the opportunity to obtain a protective order.