Does Spray Net have a patent on its proprietary products?
Spray_Net Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Except as provided above, you do not receive the right to use an item covered by a patent or copyright, except that you can use the proprietary information in our Manual and our affiliate's products (described in Item 11 of this disclosure document). Although we have not filed an application for a copyright registration for our Manuals or advertising materials, we claim common law copyright in these materials and all other proprietary materials that we and/or our principals develop for use in connection with the System or a Franchised Business. We consider our Manual to be confidential and require you to treat it as confidential. You must tell us when you learn about any unauthorized use of our Manual. We have not filed a patent on our proprietary products.
There are no current determinations, proceedings or litigation involving any of our copyrighted materials. Should you become aware that any unauthorized third party is using any of our copyrighted materials, we request that you notify us of such unauthorized use. We may revise our System and any of our copyrighted materials in our discretion, and may require that you cease using any outdated copyrighted material. You will be responsible for printing any revised or new advertising, marketing or other business materials.
Source: Item 14 — PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION (FDD pages 53–55)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Spray Net's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Spray Net does not have a patent on its proprietary products. However, Spray Net has been issued multiple patents to its affiliate, Spray-Net Franchises Inc., for systems and methods related to paint composition selection and roof rejuvenation.
Specifically, U.S. Patent No. 10,864,767, issued on December 15, 2020, covers a system and method for selecting paint compositions based on expected paint application conditions. U.S. Patent No. 10,926,579, issued on February 23, 2021, relates to a system and method for selecting paint compositions per layer based on substrate conditions. U.S. Patent No. 11,345,185, issued on May 31, 2022, also covers a system and method for selecting paint compositions based on expected paint application conditions. Most recently, U.S. Patent No. 11,123,456, issued on March 15, 2025, protects a method for rejuvenating a roof and roof coating composition. Each of these utility patents has a term of 20 years, and franchisees will utilize these patented systems and methods in their Spray Net business operations.
In addition to the issued patents, Spray-Net Franchises Inc. has a pending patent application, and franchisees are obligated to disclose and assign any related inventions or improvements made during the franchise term to Spray Net. This means that any advancements or innovations developed by a franchisee related to the Spray Net system automatically become the property of Spray Net, without compensation to the franchisee. This obligation extends beyond the termination or expiration of the Franchise Agreement.
While Spray Net claims common law copyright in its manuals and advertising materials, it is important to note that franchisees do not receive the right to use any item covered by a patent or copyright, except for the proprietary information in Spray Net's manuals and its affiliate's products. Franchisees are also required to maintain the confidentiality of trade secrets and other confidential information related to the operation of the franchised business, both during and after the term of the Franchise Agreement.