Item 14 - PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION

Item 14 provides details about copyrights and other intellectual property owned by the franchise system. Similar to Item 13, this Item gives you an idea of how thoroughly the franchisor has protected their brand.

Objective

  • Proprietary information is a crucial element of any franchise brand. It's often what sets a franchise apart from its competitors. Review all patents, copyrights and proprietary information to confirm that the franchisor has the necessary protections in place.

Important Considerations

  • WhWhat patents or copyrights does the franchisor own?
  • If applicable, how many years are left on the patents?