A trademark is property. It can be sold or transferred to another person or company through an assignment.
When assignment is needed
- You are selling the brand or the business.
- A proprietorship or partnership is moving into a company or LLP.
- A mark is moving between group companies or between founders and the company.
How it works
- The owner and the new owner sign an assignment agreement.
- The transfer is recorded with the Trademark Registry, so that the register shows the new owner.
- Stamp duty and other formalities are handled as required.
Assignment can be done with or without goodwill, and the terms matter. We review the agreement and make sure the transfer is recorded correctly.
Why record it
Until the new owner is recorded, the register still shows the old owner, which can cause problems for renewals, enforcement and sale of the business.
Common questions
Can I assign a mark that is still an application?
Yes. Pending applications can generally be assigned too, and the new owner then continues the process.
This guide is general information, not professional advice. Rules, thresholds and timelines change, so we confirm the current position for your case before filing. Government fees are separate from our service charge and are quoted before work begins.