How to Ensure a Trademark License is Done Properly

When you registered your trademark with the USPTO, you may not have considered one day allowing others to use it.  Now, as your business expands and your brand is becoming more recognizable, it may be time to consider licensing your trademark.  Trademark licensing is an agreement in which a registered trademark owner, the licensor, grants another party, the licensee, permission to make and distribute products or services under that trademark.  The licensee pays the licensor a fee to use the trademark, either paid in royalties, a lump sum, or another payment type agreed upon by both parties.

Licensing a trademark can have many benefits, including increased brand awareness and additional revenue.  However, those benefits can only be seen when the process to license the trademark has been done properly.  Creating a trademark licensing agreement that is fair to all parties involved, yet still protects your mark, can be a challenging process.  Consider the following information about how to properly license a trademark.

How Do You Properly License a Trademark?

  • Create requirements for prospective licensees. Know how they intend to use the mark in the future.
  • Get it in writing. Develop a detailed licensing agreement that is signed by both licensor and licensee.
  • Work with an experienced trademark attorney, who has knowledge in both drafting agreements and enforcing proper use.
  • Establish brand guidelines that clearly dictate how and where the trademark can be used.

Create Licensee Requirements

Your trademark is a valuable asset for your business.  Just as you wouldn’t let just anyone drive a company vehicle or run your manufacturing equipment, you shouldn’t let just anyone use your trademark.  First, analyze the potential licensee’s business plan.  Is the business financially stable?  Is it well managed?  These are important factors to consider, as you wouldn’t want to grant trademark rights to a failing business, or one that may misuse the mark in the future.

Next, determine how the potential licensee intends to use your trademark.  As the trademark owner, you are still responsible for the quality control of the products and services offered under the mark.  In addition, your brand’s reputation is tied to the use of your trademark, no matter who is using it.  Therefore, it is critical to know how your trademark will be used and where it will be displayed.  Many universities, who frequently license their trademarked logos, have requirements prohibiting licensees from displaying the mark on certain items such as alcohol and tobacco products.  Establish the requirements that best reflect your brand before you enter into a licensing agreement.

Get it in Writing

A trademark licensing agreement does not need to be written down to be legally enforceable, but a simple word-of-mouth licensing agreement is much more challenging to enforce.  For this reason, it is highly recommended that a written agreement is created and signed by both the licensor and the licensee.  A written agreement will provide both parties with a clear understanding of the licensee’s rights and will be easier to enforce should a trademark dispute arise.

Be sure to be thorough in the agreement, including all necessary information.  Each licensing agreement is different and based on the needs and wishes of the parties involved.  However, most licensing agreements should include the following:

  • The legal names of both licensor and licensee
  • The type of license being offered (exclusive, sole, or non-exclusive)
  • Any trademarks being included in the agreement
  • The geographic region where the licensee may offer goods or services with the trademark
  • The products or services the licensee may offer with the trademark
  • Quality control provisions that outline how the trademark may be used.
  • Payment information (Will licensor receive royalties, a lump sum payment, etc.?)
  • Effective dates for use of the trademark by the licensee

Work With a Trademark Attorney

Do you need assistance in a trademark matter?

Gerben IP has registered over 7,300 trademarks since opening our doors in 2008. We work with clients from all 50 states and 30+ countries around the world. Contact us today for a free consultation with a trademark attorney.

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If you’ve recently registered your trademark, you understand all of the many legal decisions involved with the process.  When choosing to license your trademark, you’ll find there are even more legal details to be addressed.  While you are likely an expert in your industry, legal documents are not easy to draft, and the slightest detail could make a huge impact down the road.  From how long the licensing agreement should be active to how the licensor will be paid for the trademark’s use, creating a licensing agreement can be difficult and time-consuming.  Developing terms that both parties can agree to can be even more challenging.

With your brand’s reputation on the line, this isn’t a time to take the do-it-yourself approach to trademark licensing.  While online licensing agreement templates exist, they do not adequately address the needs of your unique business and trademark.  An experienced trademark attorney will work with you to develop a licensing agreement that both licensor and licensee can agree upon.  This legal document will be clearly understood by both parties and easy to enforce should disputes arise.

Establish Brand Guidelines

Your trademark is a representation of both your brand and your business, so how a licensee is able to use it is of critical importance. Whether you are already in the process of creating a licensing agreement or you think licensing might be a future possibility, it’s never too early to establish brand guidelines. The consistent use of your mark helps to build your brand’s identity, and, if done correctly, can serve as effective advertising as well.
It is wise to consider creating brand guidelines as soon as your mark is registered. They should detail how and where your trademark can be used by employees and licensees. You may also want to include guidelines for other aspects of your brand, including the approved color palette, font, and logo options, as well as the style of writing and marketing pieces. Be sure that your licensees understand these guidelines before a licensing agreement is signed.

Whether you are looking to grow your brand or you simply want additional revenue streams, you may want to consider licensing your trademark. If done correctly, trademark licensing could be a benefit to your business. First, create licensee requirements, and take the time to research each potential licensee’s business history. Work with an experienced trademark attorney to get the agreement in writing. The licensing agreement, along with brand guidelines, will clearly outline the approved use of your trademark, which is essential to protecting and growing your business in the future. If you are thinking about licensing your trademark, contact a trademark attorney today.

Josh Gerben, Esq.

Josh Gerben, Esq. is the founder and principal of Gerben IP. In 2008, Mr. Gerben started the firm to provide high-quality trademark services at reasonable prices. Today, he is recognized by the World Trademark Review as a top trademark filer, having registered over 7,500 trademarks. The contents of this blog are for informational purposes only and may not be relied on as legal advice.

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