trademark assignment requirements

USPTO Trademark Assignment: Everything You Need To Know

USPTO trademark assignment is the process of assigning a trademark you have registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to a third party. 3 min read updated on February 01, 2023

Updated November 25, 2020:

USPTO trademark assignment is the process of assigning a trademark you have registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to a third party. A trademark is a symbol, word, device, phrase, or combined elements that represent your business or brand. When this mark is associated with the quality of your services, it is a valuable form of intellectual property (IP). Because this is considered an asset, it can be assigned. Assignment means to transfer the ownership rights of your trademark to a third party in exchange for profit or benefit. Registered and pending trademarks, as well as patents and patent applications, can be assigned. You must file an assignment agreement with the USPTO. Business reorganization, acquisition, and other circumstances may result in a trademark assignment.

Steps in Assigning a Trademark

• Draft an assignment agreement and have it signed by both parties. Name the person or company buying the trademark as the assignee and the current trademark owner as the assignor. Clearly identify both these parties as well as the trademark in question. Establish terms such as the cost of the trademark, how disputes about the assignment will be settled, and who will pay the transfer fee.
• Fill out the Recordation Form Cover Sheet, which can be completed online. You'll need to include the name and address of a registered agent to receive official USPTO information.
• Submit both the agreement and the cover sheet to the USPTO's Assignment Recordation unit. This can be done online, by fax, or through standard mail. The latter two options require you to establish a deposit account to pay the USPTO recording fee. Mailed forms can be submitted with a money order or check payable to the USPTO director.
• If your trademark is state-registered, you must also record the transfer with the applicable state.
• The USPTO Patent and Trademark Database will be automatically updated for assignments as well as name changes and mergers. When filling out your form, check one of those boxes for the nature of conveyance to ensure that records are updated. Do not select other, which will not update the record. The records will also not be updated if you file multiple documents with the same execution date, the application is in a blackout period, or you have exceeded the allowed number of ownership changes. In these cases, you must make a written request to have the database updated.
• Choose the correct conveyance type, either assignment of part of the interest or assignment of the entire interest along with the associated goodwill.

Points To Remember

All trademark transfers must also include the mark's associated goodwill . This includes the earning power created by customer recognition of the mark. Trademark assignment may be found invalid if the goodwill does not accompany the transfer of the mark.

Failing to follow the ownership transfer procedures can result in liability if the assignee infringes on a third-party trademark. If you buy a trademark and the original owner does not transfer ownership, a dispute could result.

Check the database to determine whether the updates have been made. Click ownership to display the current owner or assignment to display the entire chain of title.

Do not use assignment if you simply need to change your name as the trademark owner. Instead, record the name change through the USPTO Assignment Recordation Branch .

Patent and Trademark Ownership

When it comes to a patent, owning the patent gives you the exclusive right to sell, manufacture, and use the invention in question. Patents last for 20 years while trademark registration lasts for 10 years and can be renewed. The term ownership references the current holder of a trademark or patent. If you own a registered trademark, no one else can use that mark on their products or services, and imports carrying an infringing mark may be blocked from entry by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Assignment Fees

While trademark assignment once carried a $25 fee and a $40 fee was required for trademarks, the USPTO recently discontinued this fee for patents and not for trademarks. That's because trademarks are rarely assigned while the assignment is quite common in the fast-paced world of patents.

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Home > Trademark Blog > Trademark Assignment > What is a Trademark Assignment? How Do I Assign Trademark Rights?

What is a Trademark Assignment? How Do I Assign Trademark Rights?

A trademark assignment (which is different than a trademark license ) is simply the transfer of ownership of a trademark from one person or entity to another.  In order for an assignment to be valid and enforceable, it must include the underlying goodwill associated with the trademark, or in other words, the recognition the trademark has with the public.  Otherwise, the transfer of ownership will be considered an assignment in gross and the trademark may be deemed abandoned by the parties and all rights could be lost forever.

The Trademark Assignment Should Be in Writing

Although an assignment need not be in writing to be effective, it’s strongly recommended that it be in the form of a written document signed by both the assignor and the assignee.  In the event the parties fail to memorialize the trademark assignment in writing at the time of an oral assignment, they can later prepare what’s called a nunc pro tunc assignment.  This type of assignment is similar to an ordinary assignment of trademark rights, but instead of it being effective on the date it’s executed (which could be years after the trademark was orally assigned), it’s considered effective from the date the oral assignment was made.

Recording a Trademark Assignment

If the trademark being transferred is the subject of an existing US trademark registration or pending trademark application, the assignment should be recorded with the Assignment Services Division of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).  This should be done electronically using the Electronic Trademark Assignment System ( ETAS ).  You must complete the online form, upload the assignment, and pay the government filing fees (which are quite minimal).  It’s important to promptly record the assignment so that the USPTO records remain accurate and so that the public is put on notice as to the rightful owner of the trademark.  In addition, a trademark registration renewal cannot be filed in the name of the new owner unless the assignment has been recorded with the USPTO.

Be Very Careful…

Although a pending trademark application may be assigned prior to maturing into a trademark registration, you may not assign a trademark application filed under Section 1(b) ( intent to use ) until the trademark itself is in use in commerce , meaning that there’s an existing and ongoing business related to the mark.  If an intent-to-use application is prematurely assigned, any resulting trademark registration will be considered void and subject to a trademark opposition or trademark cancellation .

Need Help Preparing or Recording a Trademark Assignment?

In conclusion, there are many pitfalls that must be avoided when making an assignment of trademark rights in order to ensure that the transfer of ownership is valid, legal, and binding.

I’m experienced US trademark attorney Morris Turek.  If you have any questions about trademark assignments, the assignment of trademark rights, or maybe need some assistance from a skilled trademark attorney with preparing and recording a trademark assignment, please contact me for your free consultation at (314) 749-4059 , via email at [email protected] , or through my contact form located below.  I look forward to hearing from you soon.

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Trademark Assignment

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A Trademark Assignment is a document used when one person owns a registered trademark (like a brand name or logo ) and wishes to transfer the ownership of that trademark to another person. Written Trademark Assignments are important, as it's best for both parties to have a memorialized record of the assignment.

Trademark Assignments allow the easy transfer of the mark. They contain all the information needed to record the assignment with the United States Patent Office (USPTO) . Recordation with the USPTO is necessary for all registered trademarks that are being transferred, and it is a good way to ensure everything flows smoothly with the assignment.

This is different than a Licensing Agreement , as here, the entirety of the mark is being transferred to a new party. In a Licensing Agreement, the mark still belongs to the original owner, but the other party pays royalties for permission to use it.

This is also slightly different than an Intellectual Property Release . Although that form could be used for a trademark, generally it is used for copyrighted material, like works of art or pieces of music. In that case, payment is not made and instead, the copyrighted works are simply "released," or given, to another party.

This document can also be distinguished from an Intellectual Property Permission Letter , as there, one party is writing to request permission to use the intellectual property of another. A Licensing Agreement or Intellectual Property Release or even Trademark Assignment could come after the Intellectual Property Permission Letter, but that is not a formal legal document, and is instead, a template for a letter to be used to have the initial conversation about intellectual property use.

How to use this document

This document can be used to transfer the ownership of an existing trademark or when an individual would like an existing trademark transferred to them, as long as the owner agrees. It should be used when both parties understand that the trademark will be completely assigned (in other words, this is not a license, as noted above, and no royalties will be due after the assignment) and wish to create a record of their agreement.

This document will allow the parties to fill in details of the mark to be transferred, as well as ensure that everything needed for recordation with the USPTO is present. Either party - either the person assigning the trademark or the person receiving the trademark - can fill out this form.

Once the form is complete, the parties can undertake the following steps:

1) Sign and execute the form in front of a notary (both parties)

2) Have the notarization completed

3) Record the Trademark Assignment with the United States Patent and Trademark Office

Applicable law

Trademark Assignments are related to the trademark law of the United States, which is covered by a federal statute called the Lanham Act. The section of the Lanham Act specifically referring to assignments is 15 U.S.C. § 1060(a).

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A guide to help you: How to Register A Trademark

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Agreement to Assign Brand, Assignment for Trademark, Brand Assignment, Intellectual Property Assignment Agreement, Logo Assignment

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How to transfer trademark ownership: trademark assignment, how do you transfer ownership of a trademark.

To change the owner of a federal trademark registration or application, a trademark assignment should be signed and recorded with the USPTO. A trademark assignment is a document signed by the original owner (“assignor”) that transfers ownership of the trademark to a new owner (“assignee”). In most cases, the new owner does not need to sign the document because only the assignor signs the trademark assignment to transfer trademark rights. The USPTO offers a helpful online resource on trademark assignments .

Need to transfer trademark ownership? Email Vic at  [email protected]  or call  (949) 223-9623  to see how we can help transfer trademarks. 

How much does a trademark assignment cost?

To transfer ownership of a single trademark application or registration, our cost is $790, including our $750 flat rate and $40 USPTO fee. Our firm charges flat fees for trademark assignments and patent filings . The USPTO recording fee is $40 for the first mark, and $25 for each subsequent marks .

For multiple marks, we can draft a single trademark assignment to be signed only once. The executed trademark assignment must then be properly recorded against each trademark to be transferred. Contact us to obtain a precise quote for transferring a trademark filing.

What should be included in the trademark assignment?

It is important to specify the details of the trademark(s) to be transferred. The trademark assignment should include:

• name and address of the new owner (assignee);
• if the assignee is a company, the type of entity and state of incorporation;
• specific details of the trademark application(s) and/or registration(s) to be transferred; and
• language regarding the transfer of goodwill associated with the marks.

If multiple marks are involved, a single trademark assignment may include a schedule that lists all the trademarks to be transferred.

Keep in mind that a license to use a trademark is not the same as transferring ownership of the mark. In a trademark license, the licensor still owns the mark.

Can an ITU application be transferred prior to showing use of the mark?

Trademark assignments can get tricky in Intent-To-Use trademark applications . That’s because an ITU application is generally not transferable before the mark has been used. The USPTO wants to see the original applicant submit evidence of use of the mark by filing a Statement of Use / Amendment to Allege Use before filing a trademark assignment. Certain exceptions to this rule include the transfer of an entire line of business (e.g., business of the original trademark owner is acquired by a new owner). In these special circumstances, a trademark assignment filed before the mark has been used might be acceptable if the assignment contains special language to effect a proper transfer of an ITU mark.

Should trademark assignments be recorded with the USPTO?

An executed trademark assignment must be properly recorded with the USPTO to establish a clear chain of title from the old owner to the new owner. This will enable the public to search and recognize the new trademark owner. If the new trademark owner plans to file new trademark applications for marks similar to the assigned trademark, then it would certainly help to show that the registered trademark now belongs to the new owner.

How to search USPTO trademark assignments

The USPTO enables the public to search trademark assignment records online by reel/frame number, serial number, registration number, international registration number, assignor name, assignee name, correspondent name, applicant name or domestic representative.

How to transfer a trademark with a renewal deadline approaching

Should you transfer a trademark regisration first, and then file the renewal of behalf of the new owner? Or, renew first on behalf of the old owner, and transfer the registered trademark? It all depends on whether the old owner or new owner is making use of the mark at the time the renewal is filed.

What should the new trademark owner do?

The assignee should be diligent in tracking any deadlines for responding to outstanding Office Actions and renewing any registered marks. Typically, this can be forwarded to an experienced IP firm who will easily docket all relevant deadlines of the transferred trademark filings.

A transferred trademark application or registration should not be regarded in the same way as a transferred patent, which does not impose an obligation on the patent owner to use the patent. Trademark owners have an ongoing obligation to use the transferred trademark on the pertinent goods or services identified in the trademark filings. Ceasing the use of the marks on the relevant goods or services could jeopardize rights in the transferred marks.

What if the owner is the same, but the company has changed its name?

If the trademark owner is the same entity with a different name, the trademark owner should record a name change with the USPTO. An assignment cover sheet should be added to a copy of the corporate documents reflecting the name change, which will all be submitted to the USPTO. Be careful not to think of a different entity as merely a name change. For example, if your old company was an LLC and you formed a new corporation, those are two different entities. A trademark assignment would be required to transfer trademarks from the LLC to the new corporation.

Need to transfer a trademark application or registration?

An  experienced trademark attorney  can help you properly transfer a trademark filing. Email me at  [email protected]  or  call (949) 223-9623  to get started on transferring ownership of a trademark.

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After a trademark achieves federal registration, ownership of the mark may change hands for a variety of reasons. When a trademark owner transfers their ownership in a particular mark to someone else, it is called an assignment. Generally, for an assignment of a trademark to be valid , the assignment must also include the ‘goodwill’ associated with the mark (goodwill is an intangible asset that refers to the reputation and recognition of the mark among consumers). If the assignment of a trademark includes the mark’s goodwill and is otherwise legal, the assignee gains whatever rights the assignor had in the mark. Importantly, this includes the mark’s priority date, which has implications for protecting the mark from potential infringers going forward.

In contrast, if an assignment of a trademark is made without the mark’s accompanying goodwill, then it is considered an assignment “in gross” — and the assignment is invalid under U.S. law. Courts have analyzed whether an assignment was made in gross in a few different ways, but, as is the case with much of trademark law, protecting customers from deception and confusion is the primary motivation behind any analysis for determining the validity of an assignment.

One way courts determine if an assignment was made in gross is through the substantial similarity test. This test essentially examines whether the assignee is making a product or providing a service that is “substantially similar” to that of the assignor, such that consumers would not be deceived by the assignee’s use of the mark. This analysis includes an assessment of the quality and nature of the goods and services provided under the mark post-assignment.  Thus, even if an assignee is using the mark on the same type of goods, but the goods are of lower quality than the goods previously offered by the assignor under the mark, the assignment could be invalid. However, slight or inconsequential changes to goods and services after an assignment are not likely to invalidate the assignment, as such changes are to be expected and would not thwart consumer expectations.

Decisions on the question of substantial similarity are only marginally instructive, as the  test calls for a fact specific inquiry into what the consuming public has come to expect from the goods or services offered under a given mark. For example, courts have noted that despite similarities in services and goods, “even minor differences can be enough to threaten customer deception.” [1] Instances of products or services that were deemed not substantially similar (and thus resulted in invalid assignments) include: an assignee offering phosphate baking powder instead of alum baking powder; [2] an assignee using the mark on a pepper type beverage instead of a cola type beverage; [3] an assignee producing men’s boots as opposed to women’s boots; [4] an assignee using the mark on beer instead of whiskey; [5] and an assignee selling hi-fidelity consoles instead of audio reproduction equipment. [6]

Conversely, case law has also shown that substantial similarity can be found even when products or services do differ in some aspects, if consumers aren’t likely to be confused. For example, the following product changes did not result in a finding of an invalid assignment: an assignee offering dry cleaning detergent made with a different formula; [7] an assignee using thinner cigarette paper; [8] and an assignee selling a different breed of baby chicks. [9]

Whether goods or services are substantially similar may seem like an easy test to apply, but, as case law demonstrates, this fact-intensive analysis can yield results that look strange in the abstract. Disputes involving the validity of a trademark assignment are decided on a case-by-case basis, using the specific facts at hand to determine if consumer expectations are being met under the new use. Thus, while trademarks acquired through assignment can have significant value (and grant the assignee important rights formerly held by the assignor), assignees should be wary of changes to goods or services under an acquired mark that could be seen as deceiving the public.

[1] Clark & Freeman Corp. v. Heartland Co. Ltd. , 811 F. Supp. 137 (S.D.N.Y. 1993).

[2] Independent Baking Powder Co. v. Boorman , 175 F. 448 (C.C.D.N.J.1910).

[3] Pepsico, Inc. v. Grapette Company , 416 F.2d 285 (8th Cir. 1969).

[4] Clark & Freeman Corp. v. Heartland Co. Ltd. , 811 F. Supp. 137 (S.D.N.Y. 1993).

[5] Atlas Beverage Co. v. Minneapolis Brewing Co. , 113 F.2d 672 (8 Cir. 1940).

[6] H. H. Scott, Inc. v. Annapolis Electroacoustic Corp. , 195 F.Supp. 208 (D.Md.1961).

[7] Glamorene Products Corp. v. Procter & Gamble Co. , 538 F.2d 894 (C.C.P.A. 1976).

[8] Bambu Sales, Inc. v. Sultana Crackers, Inc. , 683 F. Supp. 899 (1988).

[9] Hy-Cross Hatchery, Inc v. Osborne 303 F.2d 947, 950 (C.C.P.A. 1962)

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