Does Kidokinetics have any pending patent applications material to the franchise?
Kidokinetics Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
During the term of the Franchise Agreement, you may have access to and become acquainted with our trade secrets, including, but not limited to, methods, processes, customer lists, vendor partnerships and/or relationships, sales and technical information, costs, product prices and names, software tools and applications, website and/or email design, products, services, equipment, technologies and procedures relating to the operation of the Kidokinetics Business; systems of operation, services, programs, products, procedures, policies, standards, techniques, requirements and specifications which are part of the System; the Franchise Operations Manual; methods of advertising and promotion; instructional materials; marketing plans, business methods, research, development or know-how, any other information which we may or may not specifically designate as "confidential" or "proprietary", and the components of our System whether or not such information is protected or protectable by patent, copyright, trade secret or other proprietary rights (collectively called the "Confidential Information"). You agree that you will take all reasonable measures to maintain the confidentiality of all Confidential Information in your possession or control and that all such Confidential Information and trade secrets shall remain our exclusive property. You may never (during the initial term, any renewal term, or after the Franchise Agreement expires or is terminated) reveal any of our
Source: Item 14 — PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION (FDD pages 38–39)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to Kidokinetics' 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, the company does not explicitly state whether it has any pending patent applications material to the franchise. However, Item 14 discusses the confidential information franchisees will have access to, stating that this information may or may not be protected by patent, copyright, trade secret, or other proprietary rights. This suggests that while Kidokinetics relies on proprietary information, the extent to which it is protected by patents is not specified.
Item 14 indicates that franchisees gain access to Kidokinetics' trade secrets and confidential information, including methods, processes, customer lists, vendor partnerships, sales and technical information, costs, product prices and names, software tools and applications, website and/or email design, products, services, equipment, technologies, procedures, systems of operation, services, programs, products, procedures, policies, standards, techniques, requirements, specifications, the Franchise Operations Manual, methods of advertising and promotion, instructional materials, marketing plans, business methods, research, development or know-how. Franchisees must maintain the confidentiality of this information and cannot reveal it to others or use it for any other business.
Prospective franchisees should inquire with Kidokinetics about any pending patent applications and the specific protections in place for their proprietary information. Understanding the scope and strength of these protections is crucial for assessing the long-term value and competitive advantage of a Kidokinetics franchise.