Intellectual property (IP) is one of your most valuable business assets. If it is not properly transferred, you risk disputes, lost rights or even losing control of the asset entirely.
Our IP transfer lawyers advise on the assignment and transfer of intellectual property between individuals, companies, trusts or as part of business sales. We draft, review and register transfer documents that safeguard ownership, protect value and ensure compliance with the law.
An IP transfer, also called an assignment, is the process of legally moving ownership of intellectual property from one person or entity to another.
Transfers commonly occur in business sales, restructures or between related entities.
To be effective, an IP transfer must be in writing and comply with registration requirements.
Without proper documentation, ownership may remain with the wrong party, creating risk in licensing, enforcement and disputes.
Clear ownership of intellectual property is essential for protecting and commercialising your rights.
If IP isn’t properly transferred, you may not legally own the asset – even if you’ve paid for it.
This can reduce the value of your business, prevent you from licensing or enforcing rights and create costly disputes.
Transfers are also critical during restructures or succession planning, where assets need to move between companies, trusts or family members.
Legal advice ensures the transfer is valid, enforceable, and preserves the value of your IP.
An IP transfer is usually recorded in a deed of assignment or transfer agreement. This document sets out the specific rights being transferred, the consideration paid, warranties of ownership and obligations on each party.
For trade marks, patents, and designs, the transfer must also be lodged with IP Australia to update the official register.
Our lawyers prepare documents that not only meet legal requirements but also protect your commercial position.
If ownership of IP is unclear or incorrectly recorded, you may not be able to enforce your rights against third parties. For example, if a trade mark is still registered in the name of a previous owner, you cannot stop others from infringing it.
This uncertainty also undermines the value of your business, especially during sales or fundraising.
We identify gaps, correct registrations and ensure ownership is clearly documented and defensible.
Confidential information can be lost in seconds but take years to build. Legal advice ensures it’s properly identified, protected, and enforceable.
We identify what IP needs to be transferred, explain the legal requirements, and ensure ownership is recorded correctly, so you avoid confusion or gaps that cause problems later.
We lodge and update records with IP Australia, domain name registries, and other authorities, ensuring your transfers are legally valid and enforceable against third parties.
We prepare deeds of assignment and related documents that protect your rights, ensure consideration is properly recorded, and give you strong remedies if ownership is ever challenged.
We protect the commercial value of your intellectual property by ensuring ownership is clear, transferable, and secure — critical in licensing, enforcement, and business sales.
Whether you are transferring IP within a group, buying or selling a business, or correcting ownership issues, our IP transfer lawyers provide tailored advice and strong documentation that protects your most valuable assets.
When intellectual property ownership is at stake, you need advice that is precise, commercial and reliable.
We handle transfers of trade marks, patents, designs, copyright, and domain names. Our experience means we know how to secure ownership and prevent disputes.
We draft deeds and agreements that protect against future challenges, making sure your ownership is defensible in court and recognised by registries.
We align IP transfer advice with your business goals, whether it’s a restructure, sale or licensing deal, ensuring ownership supports your commercial strategy.
We explain complex legal requirements in plain English, keep you updated at each step and give you certainty that your IP is properly secured.
