Trademark Transfer Agreement: Definition, Example
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What is a Trademark Transfer Agreement?
A trademark transfer agreement is a contract between two parties that governs the ownership of a trademark. This type of legal document generally specifies that one party will transfer or assign all rights to their trademark to another party, an individual, corporation, partnership, or other business entity.
A trademark is any word or symbol used by a company to identify its products and distinguish them from those produced by others. A trademark can include words, phrases, logos, and designs – anything used in commerce to identify goods and services as being from a specific source. For there to have legal effect, it must be filed with the United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO).
Trademark Transfer Agreement Sample
Exhibit 10.35
TRADEMARK ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT
This Trademark Assignment Agreement (the “Agreement”) is entered into this 21st day of December, 2006 (the “Effective Date”) by and between Applied Digital Solutions, Inc., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Missouri and having it principal place of business at 1690 S. Congress Avenue, Suite 200, Delray Beach, FL 33445 (“Assignor”) and VeriChip Corporation, a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware and having it principal place of business at 1690 S. Congress Avenue, Suite 200, Delray Beach, FL 33445 (“Assignee”).
A. WHEREAS, Assignor owns the entire right, title and interest in and to certain U.S. and foreign trademarks and services marks, both registered and unregistered, and applications for trademark and service mark registrations filed with the United States Trademark Office and foreign trademark applications, as listed in attached Exhibit A or otherwise using the prefix “Veri” (collectively the “Marks”);
B. WHEREAS Assignor owns 100% of the outstanding stock of Assignee;
C. WHEREAS, Assignor and Assignee entered into a certain Trademark License Agreement effective the 5th day of August, 2005 (the “License Agreement”) which, among other provisions,
(i) granted certain licenses to Assignee to use the Marks;
(ii) provided for termination of the License Agreement upon such time as (a) Assignor ceases to own 100% of the outstanding stock of Assignee and (b) Assignor and Assignee have failed, after good faith negotiations, to reach an agreement providing for, inter alia, the payment of royalties; and
(iii) in Section 12, obligated Assignee to discontinue use of the Marks upon termination of the License Agreement;
D. WHEREAS, Assignor is preparing to issue stock of Assignee to the public; and
E. WHEREAS Assignee desires to acquire all of Assignor’s right, title and interest, in and to the Marks together with all the goodwill of the business symbolized thereby, and Assignor desires to assign all such right, title and interest in and to the Marks to Assignee, upon the terms and conditions set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged by Assignor, the parties agree as follows:
1. Assignor hereby conveys and assigns to Assignee, and Assignee hereby accepts from Assignor, all of Assignor’s right, title and interest in and to the Marks, together with the goodwill of the business symbolized by the Marks.
2. Assignor represents and warrants that:
(i) Assignor owns the entire right, title and interest in and to the Marks;
(ii) all registrations for the Marks are currently valid and subsisting and in full force and effect;
(iii) Assignor has not licensed the Marks to any other person or entity or granted, either expressly or impliedly, any trademark or servicemark rights with respect to the Marks to any other person or entity;
(iv) there are no liens or security interests against the Marks;
(v) Assignor has all authority necessary to enter into this Agreement and the execution and delivery of this Agreement has been duly and validly authorized; and
(vi) execution of this Assignment and performance of Assignor’s obligations hereunder shall not violate or conflict with any other agreement to which Assignor is a party or provision of Assignor’s Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws.
3. Assignor shall execute and deliver to Assignee on or before the Effective Date the Trademark Assignment in the form shown in Exhibit B. At any time, and from time to time after the Effective Date, at Assignee’s request, Assignor shall execute and deliver such other instruments of sale, transfer, conveyance, assignment and confirmation and take such other action, at Assignor’s expense, as Assignee may reasonably deem necessary or desirable in order to perfect or otherwise enable the transfer, conveyance and assignment to Assignee and to confirm Assignee’s title to the Marks and any and all federal and state trademark registrations thereof or applications therefore. Assignor further agrees to assist Assignee and to provide such reasonable cooperation and assistance to Assignee, at Assignee’s expense, as Assignee may reasonably deem necessary and desirable in exercising and enforcing Assignee’s rights in the Marks.
4. Within 15 days of the execution of this Agreement, Assignee will pay Assignor the sum of $10.
5. After the Effective Date, Assignor agrees to make no further use of the Marks or any mark confusingly similar thereto, anywhere in the world, except as may be expressly authorized by the parties in writing, and Assignor agrees to not challenge Assignee’s use or ownership, or the validity, of the Marks.
6. Assignor and Assignee agree that the terms of this Agreement shall take precedence over any contrary terms of the License Agreement, including expressly Section 12 of the License Agreement.
7. This Agreement shall be binding on and shall inure to the benefit of the parties to this Agreement and their successors and assigns, if any.
8. Miscellaneous.
(a) This Agreement, Exhibit A, and the Trademark Assignment whose form is shown in Exhibit B constitute the entire agreement of the parties with regard to the subject matter hereof. No modifications of or additions to this Agreement shall have effect unless in writing and properly executed by both parties, making specific reference to this Agreement by date, parties, and subject matter.
(b) This Agreement and the rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Florida, without regard to its conflict of laws principles, and shall be enforceable against the parties in the courts of Florida. For such purpose, each party hereby irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of such courts, and agrees that all claims in respect of this Agreement may be heard and determined in any of such courts.
(c) This Agreement may be signed by each party separately, in which case attachment of all of the parties’ signature pages to this Agreement shall constitute a fully-executed agreement.
(d) Any provision of this Agreement that is invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to that jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability, without affecting in any way the remaining provisions of this Agreement in such jurisdiction or rendering that or any other provision of this Agreement invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any other jurisdiction.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective duly authorized representatives as of the day and year above written.
| ASSIGNOR: | ASSIGNEE: | |||
| Applied Digital Solutions, Inc | VeriChip Corporation | |||
| By: /s/ Michael Krawitz | By: /s/ Scott Silverman | |||
| Name: Michael Krawitz | Name: Scott Silverman | |||
| Title: Chief Executive Officer | Title: Chief Executive Officer | |||
Exhibit A
| Serial No. |
Country | Title/Mark |
FILE DATE | REG. No. | REG. DATE | |||||
| 78/032295 |
US | TECHNOLOGY THAT CARES | 10/25/2000 | |||||||
| 78/099039 |
US | VERICHIP | 12/19/2001 | |||||||
| 2,425,463 |
Argentina | VERICHIP | 4/21/2003 | 680, 295 | ||||||
| 825387060 |
Brazil | VERICHIP | 4/21/2003 | |||||||
| 1,176,009 |
Canada | VERICHIP | 4/25/2003 | |||||||
| 605929 |
Chili | VERICHIP | 4/28/2003 | 680295 | 12/3/2003 | |||||
| 3538381 |
China | VERICHIP | 4/24/2003 | |||||||
| 03022969 |
Colombia | VERICHIP | 4/22/2003 | |||||||
| 002912319 |
CTM (Europe) |
VERICHIP | 10/29/2002 | 2912319 | ||||||
| 131873 |
Ecuador | VERICHIP | 3/6/2003 | 23971 | 6/24/2003 | |||||
| 2003-18440 |
Korea | VERICHIP | 4/22/2003 | 611263 | ||||||
| 592475 |
Mexico | VERICHIP | 3/14/2003 | 790076 | 4/30/2003 | |||||
| 2003716292 |
Russia | VERICHIP | 8/22/2003 | |||||||
| 2004-00069 |
South Africa |
VERICHIP | 1/5/2004 | |||||||
| 05801/2003 |
Switzerland | VERICHIP | 11/25/2003 | 519350 | 3/18/2004 | |||||
| 092019313 |
Taiwan | VERICHIP | 4/22/2003 | Reg. No. 01091002 | ||||||
| 3433-2002 |
Venezuela | VERICHIP | 3/28/2003 | |||||||
| 78/119040 |
US | VERIPASS | 4/2/2002 | 2,807,427 | 1/20/2004 | |||||
| 78/103916 |
US | GET CHIPPED | 1/21/2002 | 2772634 | 10/7/2003 | |||||
| 826113800 |
Brazil | VERIMED | 12/9/2003 | |||||||
| 003542271 |
CTM (Europe) |
VERIMED | 12/8/2003 | |||||||
| 633078 |
Mexico | VERIMED | 12/8/2003 | 831309 | ||||||
| 78/259979 |
US | VERIMED | 6/9/2003 | |||||||
| 78/882482 |
US | VERITRACE | 5/12/2006 | |||||||
| Serial No. |
Country | Title/Mark |
FILE DATE | REG. No. | REG. DATE | |||||
| Not yet assigned |
Brazil | VERIGUARD | 11/14/2003 | |||||||
| 003574233 |
CTM (Europe) | VERIGUARD | 12/8/2003 | |||||||
| 633076 |
Mexico | VERIGUARD | 12/8/2003 | 831307 | ||||||
| 8261138000 |
Brazil | VERIPAY | 12/9/2003 | |||||||
| 003574167 |
CTM (Europe) | VERIPAY | 12/8/2003 | |||||||
| 633077 |
Mexico | VERIPAY | 12/8/2003 | 831309 | ||||||
| 78/260027 |
US | VERIPAY | 6/9/2003 | |||||||
| 826059325 |
Brazil | VERIKID | 11/14/2003 | |||||||
| 78/309237 |
US | VERIKID | 10/3/2003 | |||||||
Common law marks
CHIPMOBILE™, a standard character mark
SECURITY THROUGH INNOVATION™, a standard character mark
THERE WHEN YOU NEED IT™, a standard character mark
Exhibit B
IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
TRADEMARK ASSIGNMENT
WHEREAS, Applied Digital Solutions, Inc., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Missouri and having it principal place of business at 1690 S. Congress Avenue, Suite 200, Delray Beach, FL 33445 (“Assignor”) owns all the right, title and interest in and to the federal trademark registrations of the marks identified in Schedule A hereto (the “Marks”) and all foreign registrations everywhere in the world; and
WHEREAS, VeriChip Corporation, a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware and having it principal place of business at 1690 S. Congress Avenue, Suite 200, Delray Beach, FL 33445 (“Assignee”), desires to acquire all right, title and interest in and to the Marks, the registrations thereof, and the goodwill associated therewith.
NOW THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, Assignor hereby conveys and assigns to Assignee the entire right, title and interest in and to the Marks together with all goodwill of the business represented and symbolized thereby with all rights to sue and recover damages and/or profits for past infringements.
| _______________________ | Applied Digital Solutions, Inc. | |||
| Date |
||||
| By: | ________________________________ | |||
| Name: | ||||
| Title: | ||||
Reference:
Security Exchange Commission - Edgar Database, EX-10.35 10 dex1035.htm TRADEMARK ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT, Viewed January 28, 2022, View Source on SEC.
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Trademark Transfer Agreement
Texas
What are the key provisions that should be included in a Trademark Transfer Agreement?
I am in the process of selling my business, which includes several registered trademarks, and I need guidance on drafting a comprehensive Trademark Transfer Agreement to ensure a smooth transfer of ownership and to protect my rights as the seller, as well as the buyer's rights to use the trademarks going forward. I want to understand the essential provisions that should be included in the agreement, such as the scope of the transfer, warranties, indemnification, and any necessary post-transfer obligations, to ensure both parties are fully protected and the transfer is legally valid.
Randy M.
When you're selling your business in Texas and that sale includes registered trademarks, getting the Trademark Transfer Agreement right isn’t just paperwork. It’s what protects you and the buyer from serious legal headaches. Here’s what you need to understand about how it all works and what to include. FIRST, THE LEGAL BASICS Let’s get clear on where the law comes into play. If your trademarks are registered with the USPTO, federal law applies, specifically 15 U.S.C. § 1060. If you’ve registered marks at the state level in Texas, those fall under Section 16.061 of the Texas Business & Commerce Code. A lot of businesses have federal trademarks, but some have both, and each needs to be handled the right way. Here’s a critical point: you can’t transfer a trademark by itself. Legally, it has to go with the goodwill tied to it. That means the reputation, customer trust, and market recognition associated with your brand. Courts take this seriously. If you try to assign a trademark without transferring the goodwill behind it, that assignment can be ruled invalid. The trademark has to stay connected to its original source, or the legal protection starts to fall apart. KEY PARTS OF THE AGREEMENT Identifying the Parties and Background Info Start simple. Spell out who’s selling and who’s buying, using full legal names and business addresses. Include a quick explanation in the recitals that you own the trademarks and plan to transfer them as part of the business sale. Detailed Trademark Descriptions List every trademark included in the transfer. For federal marks, include things like registration numbers, any pending application serial numbers, filing dates, and the international classes they fall under. For Texas marks, include the state registration numbers and any other relevant details. Don’t forget common law marks either. If you’ve been using a brand name or logo in business without registering it, it still has value and legal protection. The Assignment Clause Itself This is where the actual transfer happens. The language needs to make it crystal clear that you’re transferring all rights, title, and interest in the trademarks, and just as important, the goodwill that goes with them. That’s not optional. For federal trademarks, this clause has to meet the standard set by 15 U.S.C. § 1060. For Texas marks, the law requires that the transfer include “the goodwill of the business in which the mark is used.” Be sure to include language that talks about transferring the reputation, customer recognition, and market value of the marks. That’s what keeps the assignment legally valid. Purchase Price and Who Pays for What Spell out what the trademarks are worth as part of the overall deal. If the value is rolled into the full business sale price, say that clearly. Also note who’s responsible for any filing fees with the USPTO or Texas Secretary of State, legal costs, and whether there’s any money going into escrow. Warranties and Representations You’ll need to confirm that you’re the sole owner of the trademarks, that they’re valid and enforceable, and that there are no liens, disputes, or infringement claims you know of. You can qualify some of these with “to the best of your knowledge,” especially if you're not sure about everything. The buyer will also need to make some promises, like having the ability to maintain and protect the trademarks going forward. Indemnification Terms This is how you divide up risk. You should agree to cover any trademark issues that started before the sale, such as pending legal disputes or past infringement claims. The buyer takes on anything that happens after the transfer. Be sure to include who will handle any legal defense and how costs are covered. What Happens After the Sale You’ll probably need to sign additional paperwork later to finalize the transfer, especially for filing purposes. You also need to agree to stop using the trademarks after closing. If you’re going to help the buyer with trademark maintenance or recordation, lay that out clearly. Cooperation after closing is often what makes the legal side go smoothly. WHAT IF THERE'S A TRANSITION PERIOD? If you’ll still be involved in operations temporarily or helping during a handoff, add quality control provisions. This matters because if the buyer is using the trademark on the same goods or services you used to provide, the quality needs to stay consistent. Without oversight during that period, trademark rights can actually be lost. That’s called naked licensing, and it’s something you want to avoid at all costs. RECORDING THE ASSIGNMENT Federal Marks To make the transfer legally solid, you’ll need to record it through the USPTO Assignment Center. Right now, it costs $40 for the first trademark and $25 for each additional one in the same document. You have three months from the assignment date to record it to protect against third-party claims. Texas Marks For state trademarks, the process goes through the Texas Secretary of State. The fee is $25, and Texas gives you 90 days to record the assignment. That’s different from the federal timeline, so don’t mix them up. Common Law Marks Since these aren’t registered anywhere, there’s no official filing to do. Just make sure your agreement clearly spells out the transfer and ties it to goodwill. That’s your legal foundation for common law marks. A FEW EXTRA LEGAL PROTECTIONS Include standard contract language too, such as Texas law as the governing law, a venue for disputes, integration clauses, and a method for resolving disagreements. You might want to get the agreement notarized. It’s not legally required in Texas, but it adds a layer of security. If you're staying involved during the transition and helping the buyer keep up with trademark deadlines, make sure that’s written into the deal. COMMON PITFALLS TO AVOID Don’t treat all your trademarks the same. Some may be federal, some state, and some common law. They each need different handling. And never forget the goodwill piece. Without it, your trademark transfer isn’t valid. Also, make sure you stay on top of deadlines. You have three months to record federal assignments and 90 days for Texas. Missing either one could leave the buyer exposed to claims from someone else down the road. THE FINAL ANALYSIS Getting this agreement right helps avoid future disputes and protects the trademark value you’ve built over time. Trademarks are often one of the most valuable pieces of a business, so it’s worth taking the time to spell out exactly what’s being transferred, what the responsibilities are, and what happens next. Because trademark law is detailed and the consequences of mistakes can be serious, it’s smart to work with an experienced IP attorney. They’ll help you match the agreement to your specific situation and avoid costly errors. Mistakes in this area can lead to total loss of rights. If you've built a brand worth selling, make sure it's protected when you pass it on.
Intellectual Property
Trademark Transfer Agreement
Maryland
Need advice on Trademark Transfer Agreement.
I recently started a small business and have developed a unique brand name and logo. I have been approached by another company expressing interest in acquiring my trademark rights through a transfer agreement. I am unfamiliar with the legal aspects of trademark transfers and would like to understand the process, potential risks, and ensure that I am adequately protecting my brand before entering into any agreement.
Roman V.
Hello, I wanted to express my interest in helping you understand your trademark rights and the trademark transfer proposal you received. As brief background, I am a US-licensed trademark attorney and have helped clients in similar situations buy, sell, and otherwise transfer trademark rights through transfer agreements. I can also help you prepare and file a federal trademark registration to protect your unique brand name and logo throughout the US. I'd be glad to set up a brief call to learn more about your business and see how I can help. Thanks for your consideration. Best, Roman Vayner (c) 414.628.9099 (e) rvayner@vaynerlegal.com www.vaynerlegal.com VaynerLegal, LLC
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