Does Mr. Sandless claim copyrights on its website?
Mr_Sandless Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
We may establish a website that provides information about the System and the Mr. Sandless products and services. We may use part of the monies from the Advertising Fund (described in Section 13.4 below) that we collect under this Agreement to pay or reimburse the costs associated with the development, maintenance and update of such website. We will be the webmaster, either directly or through a third party, and we have sole discretion and control over such website. You are not permitted to maintain an individual website related to the Business, or to establish a uniform resource locator (URL) incorporating
any variation of the "Mr. Sandless" name or the Proprietary Marks, without our prior written approval, which we are not required to provide. You must also participate in any System-wide area computer network, intranet system, or extranet implemented by us, as described in Section 9.11.1 above.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 42)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Mr. Sandless Franchise Disclosure Document, Mr. Sandless does not explicitly state that it claims copyrights on its website. However, the document does state that Mr. Sandless may establish a website to provide information about the system and the Mr. Sandless products and services. Mr. Sandless will be the webmaster and have sole discretion and control over such website. The franchisee is not permitted to maintain an individual website related to the business, or to establish a uniform resource locator (URL) incorporating any variation of the "Mr. Sandless" name or the Proprietary Marks, without Mr. Sandless's prior written approval, which they are not required to provide.
Furthermore, the Mr. Sandless FDD states that upon termination of the franchise agreement, the franchisee must promptly take action to cancel all registrations relating to the use of any of the Proprietary Marks, including any electronic address, domain name, search engine, or website that associates the franchisee with Mr. Sandless. The franchisee acknowledges that Mr. Sandless has the sole rights to and interest in all social media accounts, electronic mail addresses, telephone numbers, and other listings associated with the Proprietary Marks.
While the FDD does not directly address copyright on the Mr. Sandless website, it does emphasize Mr. Sandless's control over the content and marks associated with the brand online. A prospective franchisee should seek clarification from Mr. Sandless regarding website copyright and usage policies to fully understand their rights and obligations.