Assignments of IP
Licensing isn’t always the right fit. Sometimes you need to transfer ownership of intellectual property outright, a trademark, a copyright work, a patent, software or a domain name. We advise on assignments of both registered and unregistered rights.
What is an IP assignment?
An assignment is a formal legal transfer of ownership from one party to another. Unlike a licence, which gives someone permission to use your intellectual property while you keep the underlying rights, an assignment hands the rights across completely.
When you might need one
Assignments come up in a few common situations. Intra-group transfers happen when a business needs its IP to sit in a particular entity, for example ahead of a sale. They’re also common when a business owner sets up a new company but has created the IP through an existing one, and needs to move it across once the new business is established.
We can:
- draft and prepare the assignment agreement
- carry out due diligence on the IP being transferred
- handle IP as part of a business or asset acquisition, making sure it’s properly transferred alongside the rest of the deal
- advise on transfers of software, source code, technical documentation and know-how
- assign trademarks, copyright, patents and design rights
- deal with domain names and other digital assets
- manage recordal and registration formalities with the relevant intellectual property offices
If your IP is being transferred as part of an asset purchase, a restructure or a sale, we make sure the IP provisions line up with the wider needs of the transaction.
An assignment transfers ownership outright, whereas a licence lets someone else use what’s still yours.
We work with businesses at every stage: one transferring IP into a new group entity, or one buying IP as part of a wider acquisition. Wherever you sit on that scale, here’s where our intellectual property work applies.
If you’re not sure which of these fits your situation, call us, and we’ll point you in the right direction.
