Back to Trademark ownership

Who can own a trademark?

Founder & Trademark Attorney

Any individual, company, or association can own a trademark. Sole proprietors, partnerships, limited liability companies, corporations, trusts, and estates can all hold trademark registrations. A trademark can also have multiple owners.

However, there are additional costs associated with transferring the ownership down the line, and so the practical question is whether the trademark should be owned by the individual founder or by the company. Tying ownership to the company simplifies commercial use, enforcement, and eventual sale of the business. Individual ownership can make sense where the person wants to retain personal control over the brand, such as a professional licensing their name for merchandising.

Related questions

12 good reasons for musicians and bands to register a trademark

There is a myriad of reasons why trademark registration is of a crucial importance for musicians and bands. This article presents a concise summary of 12 key reasons why every brand in the music industry should think about registering for a trademark.

Stories of our clients: Cyber Expedite

“Our goal at Cyber Expedite™ is to modernise the cyber security service procurement industry, to help organisations answer one simple question: I know I need a security service; I just don’t know what to ask for and who provides that service. We put so much effort into trading names and reviewing web domain registrations etc, why would you not want to protect that?” Cyber Expedite, founded by Niall McEvoy, seeks to add value to every organisation by simplifying the scoping and delivery of cyber security solutions and services.

Words to avoid when choosing a trademark

Your trademark is the face your brand. Trademark registration helps your customers to identify the goods and services you offer and differentiate them from the ones offered by your competitors. It is then essential to make sure that your trademark is distinct and recognisable enough to represent your brand.