If a Remax franchisee develops improvements to the Remax System, who owns those improvements?
Remax Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You acknowledge, understand and agree that REMAX, LLC may have independent access to the (i) the information that is generated and stored on any of the Optional Resources; (ii) the information that is uploaded or automatically transferred to the Optional Resources, as well as (iii) the information that may be stored in the Optional Resources. You acknowledge, understand, and agree that REMAX, LLC has the right to access, evaluate, use, aggregate, analyze and take any action that it deems necessary based on such information for any purpose it deems reasonable, including but not limited to (i) assisting us in gathering relevant information for analysis and decision-making; (ii) generating insights regarding RE/MAX franchisees in general; (iii) providing technical support; and (iv) helping us improve the RE/MAX System. Additionally, we may sell and monetize this information (including client information) as well as profit from this information as we deem appropriate without compensation to you. REMAX, LLC may retrieve and store all information from the Optional Resources that it considers necessary, desirable or appropriate. All of this information shall be considered the property of REMAX, LLC and no such information shall be considered confidential. There are no limitations on REMAX, LLC's right to access information that is stored in the Optional Resources.
Source: Item 22 — Contracts (FDD pages 108–334)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
Based on the 2025 Remax Franchise Disclosure Document, Remax, LLC has the right to access, evaluate, use, aggregate, analyze, and take any action it deems necessary based on information generated and stored on optional resources, information uploaded or automatically transferred to optional resources, and information stored in optional resources. This includes using the information to improve the Remax System.
Remax, LLC may also sell and monetize this information, including client information, and profit from it without compensating the franchisee. Remax, LLC can retrieve and store all information from the optional resources that it considers necessary, desirable, or appropriate. All of this information is considered the property of Remax, LLC, and is not considered confidential.
This means that while a Remax franchisee may develop improvements or generate valuable data through their use of optional resources, Remax, LLC retains ownership and control over that information. This could impact a franchisee's ability to leverage their own innovations or data for their exclusive benefit, as Remax, LLC has the right to use and monetize it across the entire Remax network.