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When can you change the ownership of a trademark?

Founder & Trademark Attorney

Trademark ownership can be changed at any time after the application is filed, including while the application is pending or after registration is complete. The most common situations are selling a business, transferring ownership from an individual to their company, or restructuring a corporate group.

The transfer is formalized through a trademark assignment, which must be recorded with the IP office where the trademark is registered. Until the assignment is recorded, the original owner remains the official holder on the register.

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