Branca's Law of Self Defense CourseS

[Craig_AR]

Andrew Branca is currently promoting his live online streaming Advanced Law of Self Defense Course, to take place on 1/8/2022 using Zoom.
During his recent live stream session on YouTube he clarified that this is a re-branding of his course
Law of Self Defense Level I, not a newer more advanced class. He said if you already took Level I and had signed up for this Advanced class thinking it a different course he would refund your money if you ask. He also pointed out that folks do retake the class as refresher, so former students of Level I may wish to take the live Advanced class, both as a refresher, and for the benefit of live Q&A not available in the DVD or streaming versions.
Next, after reading an online review, I signed up for his Law of Self Defense Instructor class, completing it today. It really is a more in-depth course, consisting of roughly 15 hours of streaming lectures in 13 modules, with downloadable files for the slides and supplemental documents. The cost is from $650 to $750 depending on how you pay. A required end of course exam (open "book") is included in the fee. If you must re-test there is a $20 retest fee.
Despite the course name, graduates are NOT allowed to teach his LoSD class, or use any of his LoSD slides and direct content. They are allowed to call themselves
“Law of Self Defense Instructor Program Graduate” or“Graduate of the Law of Self Defense Instructor Program.”
The idea is to prepare grads to teach their own state-specific self defense law classes in their states.

I recommend this instructor course to all attorneys active on THR, and to any other members who teach their local CCW/CHCL courses.

 

[1942bull]

The restriction that dictates:

graduates are NOT allowed to teach his LoSD class, or use any of his LoSD slides and direct content. They are allowed to call themselves
“Law of Self Defense Instructor Program Graduate” or“Graduate of the Law of Self Defense Instructor Program.”

seems to me to be a means of assuring he gets no competition from his trainees. It seems that a graduate cannot franchise his brand. So, if a person wants to become an instructor he is barred from proclaiming his expertise is based upon what he was taught and by whom. I spent decades in business for myself. I trained many photograpers to become pros. I never restricted their rights. To me that is the way the world should work. What am I missing here?

 

[Kleanbore]

What am I missing here?

Likely has to do with the distinction between lay persons and practitioners of certain professions.

 

[Craig_AR]

seems to me to be a means of assuring he gets no competition from his trainees.

Nope, not at all. It is a way of protecting his intellectual property and the value of his brand. In fact he encourages graduates to develop their own courses with their own custom content, especially in the states where they teach. So, it is not a non-compete policy, it is an IP and brand protection policy.
If you worked at Ford, then you cannot go out on your own to build and sell cars called Fords, but you certainly can go out on your own to build and sell cars.

 

[1942bull]

Nope, not at all. It is a way of protecting his intellectual property and the value of his brand. In fact he encourages graduates to develop their own courses with their own custom content, especially in the states where they teach. So, it is not a non-compete policy, it is an IP and brand protection policy.
If you worked at Ford, then you cannot go out on your own to build and sell cars called Fords, but you certainly can go out on your own to build and sell cars.

I get that, but an instructor has to have credentials. He seems to be restricting his training if the future instructor bu his terms and conditions. For example, if I earn a certificate of achievement from a vocational school, what good is it if I cannot promote myself as a grad of that school school that awarded the certificate. Of course to me it is all academic. Nearing 80 I am just happy to wake up every morning.

 

[Kleanbore]

it is an IP and brand protection policy.

Yep.

 

[Shawn Dodson]

Unlike becoming an NRA Certified Pistol Instructor or USCCA Certified Instructor, where one learns how to teach a prescribed course that's already been developed and approved by the certifying organization, Branca simply isn't certifying anyone to teach a "Law of Self Defense" course. It's not because of "no compete", it's because he's not providing a canned course for his graduates to teach like the NRA or USCCA does.

 

[Craig_AR]

I get that, but an instructor has to have credentials. He seems to be restricting his training if the future instructor bu his terms and conditions. For example, if I earn a certificate of achievement from a vocational school, what good is it if I cannot promote myself as a grad of that school school that awarded the certificate.

Branca is doing exactly what you seem to wish: He is providing a credential (certificate and authorization to call yourself "Law of Self Defense Instructor Program Graduate"). In the course he encourages students to create their own content, customized to their own state laws, and teach the LoSD principles. His terms and conditions simply say we cannot claim to teach his branded LoSD course, or copy his slides or use his videos in our classes.
As an Arkansas Basic & Enhanced CHCL Instructor I am required to teach a section on Arkansas laws about firearms and self defense in those classes. You can be sure I will use this new credential to support my ability to teach that content.