Does the definition of 'Copyrighted Material' for a Southern Steer franchise include website content?
Southern_Steer Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Copyrighted Materials. "Copyrighted Materials" means all manuals, the Brand Manual, System, logos, designs, marketing materials, layouts of advertising materials, copyrights, writings, recordings, binders, videos, Website content, other web content, electronic files, agreements, forms, books, software and printed materials, etc. including all revisions, changes, modifications and derivatives of or to any of the foregoing, related to the Southern Steer Business or provided to Franchisee by Franchisor, its designees or its Affiliates, including all additions, modifications, derivatives, alterations and improvements thereto.
Source: Item 22 — ITEM. 22 CONTRACTS (FDD pages 61–168)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Southern Steer's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the definition of "Copyrighted Materials" explicitly includes website content. This definition encompasses a broad range of materials related to the Southern Steer business.
This means that Southern Steer franchisees must understand that the franchisor retains ownership and control over all website content associated with the brand. Franchisees are granted a limited right to use these copyrighted materials, including website content, solely for the operation of their franchise during the term of their agreement.
The inclusion of website content within the definition of Copyrighted Materials ensures that Southern Steer maintains a consistent brand image and marketing strategy across all franchise locations. It also restricts franchisees from independently creating or altering website content without the franchisor's consent, preventing potential brand inconsistencies or misuse of copyrighted material. Franchisees should familiarize themselves with the Brand Manual guidelines regarding the use of copyrighted materials to ensure compliance and avoid potential infringement issues.