Trademark Change of Ownership Services in California
When a trademark changes hands—through a sale, merger, business restructuring, or inheritance—the USPTO must be notified. Failing to record the change properly can jeopardize your rights. At SARI LAW FIRM, we help businesses and individuals across California navigate all forms of trademark ownership transfers and assignments, ensuring legal clarity, accuracy, and continuity.
When You Need to Update Ownership
You must file a trademark ownership change when: You sell or purchase a trademark; Your business merges with another entity; There is an internal restructuring (e.g., from LLC to Corporation); The trademark owner passes away (estate assignment); You acquire a trademark as part of an asset purchase or acquisition. These updates are not automatic. You must file a trademark assignment with the USPTO Assignment Recordation Branch to make it official.
Our Trademark Ownership Transfer Services
We manage end-to-end preparation, execution, and filing with both the USPTO and state-level agencies (if needed). 1. Drafting Trademark Assignment Agreements – Tailored to the nature of the transfer (sale, merger, reorganization, etc.); Includes representations, warranties, and IP scope clauses; Covers goodwill transfer language (required for validity). 2. USPTO Filing & Recordation – File the assignment or ownership change with USPTO’s ETAS system; Ensure proper document formatting (PDF, signatures, notary if needed); Obtain confirmation of recordation & update status in TSDR. 3. Entity Corrections & Ownership Updates – Fix incorrect owner name/address in existing USPTO filings; File new Change of Entity Type or Domicile Correction forms; Update contact info for future correspondence. We also review the trademark portfolio for chain-of-title issues to ensure enforcement rights remain valid.
Risks of Not Updating Ownership
Failing to record a change of ownership can lead to: Loss of rights in enforcement actions; Trademark cancellation or refusal; USPTO correspondence going to the wrong party; Deal delays during M&A due diligence. Keep your chain of title clean, especially if you plan to sell, license, or enforce your mark in the future.
Who Needs This Service?
Our Trademark Ownership Change service is ideal for: Entrepreneurs selling branded assets; Startups undergoing investment or incorporation changes; Franchises transferring ownership; Legal teams closing M&A deals; Estates inheriting IP assets. We assist clients throughout Los Angeles, Santa Ana, Irvine, Riverside, San Diego, and the broader California region.
FAQ
Can I just update the trademark owner in my USPTO account?
No. Ownership changes require formal recordation through the USPTO Assignment Recordation Branch. It’s a separate legal step.
Do I need a lawyer to assign a trademark?
While not required, attorney-prepared assignments help ensure the transfer is legally binding, enforceable, and includes goodwill (which is essential).
What’s the difference between an assignment and a name change?
An assignment transfers ownership to a new party. A name change is used when the same entity changes its legal name. Both require documentation and USPTO filing.
How long does USPTO recordation take?
If filed electronically and properly formatted, most recordations are processed within 3–5 business days.
Can you help with multiple trademarks in one transaction?
Absolutely. We handle large trademark portfolios and can batch assignments across multiple serial numbers for efficiency.
Contact
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