Back to Using your trademark

Can I licence my trademark to a third party?

Founder & Trademark Attorney

Yes, any third party can legally use your trademark if they have your permission through a trademark license agreement. The licensor retains ownership of the trademark, while the licensee is authorized to use it under the terms set out in the agreement.

License agreements typically specify how exactly you can use the trademark. The territory, the classes of goods or services, the duration, and any quality control requirements are all included. Quality control provisions are particularly important because in some jurisdictions (including the US), a license arrangement without sufficient quality control by the licensor can be considered a "naked license" that may invalidate the trademark.

Related questions

Stories of our clients: All-in-one platform WebSell

“WebSell is an all-in-one platform, meaning that we handle everything when getting businesses online. We have big plans for the brand so securing a trademark for our new name in various territories was essential.” Read the full story of WebSell, another satisfied client of Trama, from the perspective of Cillian McGillycuddy, marketing manager at WebSell.

Should you trademark your domain name?

Intellectual property of a brand does not end with its name or logo, but can also cover domain name. If you want to reinforce your brand name and ensure visibility of your business online, you should consider trademarking your domain name.

Can you change your trademark over time?

Brands tend to evolve and undergo numerous changes over time. Many companies have changed their names to cater to a larger audience, either by altering their original logos for a more modern look or abandoning controversial words in their slogans. As the company expands beyond its planned offerings of goods and services or decides to take a different direction altogether, usually what follows are certain changes or even complete rebranding. A common question is then: can trademarks change over time? Well, it depends.