For a Southern Steer franchise, does the definition of 'Copyrighted Material' include electronic files?

According to the 2025 Southern Steer Franchise Disclosure Document, the definition of "Copyrighted Materials" does include electronic files. This definition is important for prospective franchisees as it outlines the materials that are protected under copyright and that Southern Steer owns. Franchisees are granted the right to use these materials, but only under the terms and conditions specified in the franchise agreement.

The definition of Copyrighted Materials is comprehensive, encompassing a wide array of items such as manuals, the Brand Manual, the System itself, logos, designs, marketing materials, advertising layouts, copyrights, writings, recordings, binders, videos, Website content, other web content, electronic files, agreements, forms, books, software, and printed materials. This extends to all revisions, changes, modifications, and derivatives related to the Southern Steer Business or provided to the franchisee by Southern Steer, its designees, or affiliates. This broad definition ensures that all aspects of the brand's intellectual property are protected.

Southern Steer's ownership and control over these copyrighted materials are further emphasized in other sections of the FDD, which state that the franchisee's right to use these materials derives solely from the franchise agreement. Unauthorized use of any of these materials constitutes an infringement of Southern Steer's rights and can result in substantial harm to the brand, its affiliates, and other franchisees. Therefore, it is crucial for franchisees to adhere to the guidelines set forth in the Brand Manual and obtain approval from Southern Steer before using any copyrighted materials, especially when co-sponsoring events or using existing trade names in conjunction with the brand's marks.