Trademark Assignment
Services in this category ▼
Trademark Registration Services
Trademark assignment transfers ownership of a mark from one person or business to another. Assignment is a legal process, so the transaction has to follow legal procedure and protect both parties. So how is a trademark assignment done, and how is the trademark assignment contract prepared?
What trademark assignment is and how it works
Trademark assignment is the process of transferring a business's mark to another party. The process involves several legal steps.
The process starts with an agreement between the parties. For that agreement to be legally valid, both sides must sign a notarized trademark assignment contract that sets out their rights and obligations. The contract has to cover the mark’s use rights, partial-assignment scenarios, and terms for future use. Both parties should review the contract carefully before the assignment closes, and take legal advice where needed.
Once the contract is signed, the paperwork for the assignment is prepared and the transfer is recorded with TÜRKPATENT (the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office).
Documents required for trademark assignment
How trademark assignment works
How trademark assignment works
What partial trademark assignment is
There are two main types of trademark assignment: full and partial. A full assignment transfers all rights in the mark to a single buyer, so the original owner gives up every commercial and legal right in the mark. Full assignments are common in mergers and acquisitions or when a business owner sells outright. After a full assignment the original owner can no longer use the mark or assert any rights in it.
A partial assignment transfers only specified rights or use cases. It can apply to a specific territory or product line. A brand owner might assign the mark for use in one region only, or for one product category only. Partial assignment lets brand owners increase the value of the mark while preserving their market position. A trademark assignment contract covers the terms of the transfer and sets out the rights of each side in full.
Trademark assignment contract template
The trademark assignment contract matters because it is what gives the transfer legal certainty. It is the legal instrument that governs moving a mark from one person or entity to another.
Essentials a trademark assignment contract has to cover for validity:
- The parties' identity and contact details have to be set out clearly.
- The mark's full name, registration number, and the classes it covers have to be stated.
- How the rights transfer and on what terms has to be spelled out in detail.
- Payment terms, effective date, and (in a partial assignment) which specific rights transfer also have to be covered.
These items head off future disputes. Without them, the assignment can run into problems. For legal validity, the contract has to be notarized and then filed with TÜRKPATENT.
To download a sample trademark assignment contract, click here.
What to watch for in a trademark assignment
Trademark assignment transfers ownership and use rights from one person or entity to another. The process has several important factors to watch.
The trademark assignment contract
The most important thing in drafting a trademark assignment contract is clear communication between the parties. Gaps in communication create misunderstandings that turn into legal problems. Both sides have to understand the terms in full, and every clause has to be spelled out clearly.
Trademark value
Brand value is another factor to weigh during assignment. A trademark represents more than the name of goods or services; it carries the consumer-facing image and the reputation the mark has built. The mark's current value and its potential future effect both matter when planning the assignment. Mistakes in the legal process or in general communication can erode value and trigger legal disputes.
What trademark assignment fees and charges cost
The trademark assignment contract has to be filed with TÜRKPATENT, and the assignment registry fee paid. As of 2025, the registry fee for a full or partial trademark assignment is 4,940 TL. The notarization of the assignment contract also carries a notary fee. If legal advice is taken or a trademark agent handles the assignment, a service fee applies to the agent as well.
Paying the registry fee and filing complete paperwork keeps the registry recording clean. Fees update each year, so confirm current figures with your trademark agent.
