Transfer ownership of your trademark with Legal Startup. A dedicated IP expert drafts the assignment deed, reviews the documents and files the request to record the new owner with the Trade Marks Registry, for registered marks and pending applications.
Free call & custom quote · Professional fee + government fee + stamp duty
Trademark assignment online in India is the transfer of ownership of a trademark from the current owner (assignor) to a new owner (assignee) under the Trade Marks Act, 1999. It is done through a signed assignment deed, followed by an online filing with the Trade Marks Registry to record the new proprietor on the register.
Last updated: October 2026. Forms, fees and stamp duty can change, so we confirm the current position before filing.
A trademark is property, and like other property it can be sold or transferred. In an assignment, the owner of the mark gives up their rights in it to another person, who becomes the new owner. This often happens when a business is sold, a brand is acquired, a founder exits, or a group company takes over a mark.
An assignment can be made for a registered mark or for a pending application, and it can include the goodwill of the business or only the mark. The terms are set out in the assignment deed. After signing, the assignee applies to the Trade Marks Registry to be recorded as the proprietor, and the change is entered on the register.
Assignment is different from a licence, where the owner keeps the mark and only permits someone else to use it, and from transmission, where rights pass by succession or merger. For official forms, fee schedules and the public status search, visit the Intellectual Property India website at ipindia.gov.in, the official portal of the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trade Marks, Government of India. If the mark is not yet registered, see our trademark registration online service.
The basics every buyer and seller of a trademark should know.
The right approach depends on the status of the mark and what the parties agree to transfer.
The mark moves along with the business reputation attached to it.
Only the mark is transferred, without the underlying business.
Transfer of a mark that is already on the register.
Transfer of a mark that is applied for but not yet registered.
Transfer for some goods or services or some classes only.
Rights pass by succession, merger or operation of law.
Not sure which type fits your deal? Share the details and our experts will explain the right route free of charge.
Why owners and buyers formalise the transfer and record it properly.
The register shows the new owner, which avoids disputes later.
The mark, and its registration, carry on in the new owner's hands.
The recorded owner can take action against infringers.
A properly assigned mark can be shown to investors and lenders.
IP is transferred cleanly along with the rest of the deal.
A well-drafted deed protects both the assignor and the assignee.
File the recordal from anywhere in India without visiting a Registry office.
From ownership check to the updated register, here is how an online trademark assignment works.
Timelines depend on Registry workload and whether queries arise. Not to scale.
We confirm the current owner, status, classes and any pending renewal or objection on the mark.
The parties decide whether goodwill is included, which marks and classes are covered, and the consideration.
We draft the assignment deed, advise on stamp duty, and both parties sign it.
The request to record the new proprietor (Form TM-P) is filed with the deed and supporting documents.
If the Registry asks for clarification or documents, we reply within the time allowed.
Once processed, the register shows the assignee as proprietor, and future filings go in the new owner's name.
Keep these ready to avoid delays. Our expert will confirm the exact list for your case.
The total cost depends on the number of marks and classes, whether the deed needs to be drafted, and the state in which the deed is executed. It generally has four parts:
The Registry fee for recording the assignee. The schedule can change, so we confirm the current fee before filing.
Payable on the assignment deed and varies by state. We guide you on the correct stamp paper.
Depends on the number of marks and whether we draft the deed. Call free for a custom quote before you pay anything.
We share a clear, itemised quote before you begin – no hidden charges. Get your free quote →
Choose the situation that matches your deal, or call free for a custom quote.
The deed is already signed and you only need the new owner recorded.
We draft the deed, guide the signing and record the new owner.
Several marks, several classes or a full brand portfolio.
Our professional fee is quoted per mark after a free call. Government fee and state stamp duty are separate. Not sure which option fits? Ask for a free review of your deal.
Any time ownership of a brand changes hands, the trademark should follow.
Move the brand to the buyer along with the rest of the business.
Transfer a mark held in a founder's name to the company, or the other way round.
Consolidate brands under a holding or IP-owning entity.
Acquire a ready brand and have it recorded in your name.
Hand over a mark that is applied for but not yet registered.
Keep brand ownership clean before funding or franchise rollout.
A quick view of how the ways of dealing with a trademark differ. Ask us which one fits your situation.
| Route | Does ownership change? | Main document | Recorded with Registry | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Yes | Assignment deed | Recordal of the new proprietor | Most common for sale of a brand |
| Licence | No | Licence agreement | Can be recorded in some cases | Owner keeps the mark |
| Transmission | Yes, by operation of law | Merger, succession or court records | Recordal of the new proprietor | Not a sale |
| Fresh application | New owner files own mark | New trademark application | New registration | No priority from the old filing |
A proper check before signing and a timely recordal prevent most problems.
Recording the assignment is the first step. Here is what the new owner should do next.
Store the filing receipt and the signed deed with your brand records.
File future replies, renewals and notices in the new owner's name.
Watch the Journal for similar marks and act on infringement early.
Note the next expiry date and renew in time. See trademark renewal online.
If the assigned mark is under objection or opposition, see our trademark hearing online service. For local support, see our pages for trademark registration in Dwarka and Jaipur.
Quick answers on trademark assignment in India.
Trademark assignment is the transfer of ownership of a trademark from the current owner (the assignor) to another person or entity (the assignee), under the Trade Marks Act, 1999. The change is then recorded on the Trade Marks Register.
Sign a written assignment deed between the assignor and assignee, then file the request to record the new proprietor (Form TM-P) online with the Trade Marks Registry, along with the supporting documents. The Registry updates the register once the application is processed.
Yes. A pending application can also be assigned, and the assignee is then recorded as the applicant. The assignment should be recorded so that future steps, such as replies and hearings, proceed in the new owner's name.
An assignment with goodwill transfers the mark along with the reputation and business connected to it. An assignment without goodwill transfers only the mark, and the Act places additional conditions on it, so the deed and filing need extra care.
Assignment transfers ownership of the mark, while a licence only permits another party to use it and ownership stays with the licensor. Pick assignment if the owner is changing, and a licence if the owner wants to keep the mark.
A signed assignment deed on the appropriate stamp paper, application or registration number, identity and address details of both parties, incorporation documents for companies, a Power of Attorney (TM-48) if an attorney files, and any consent or authority needed from the assignor.
Yes, it is strongly advisable. Until the assignee is recorded as the proprietor, the register still shows the old owner, which can create problems with renewal, enforcement and any later sale.
The cost depends on the number of marks, whether the deed needs to be drafted, state stamp duty on the deed and the Registry fee for the recordal. Call us free and we will share an itemised quote before you pay anything.
The filing itself is done online and you receive an acknowledgement. The time taken by the Registry to update the register depends on its workload and on whether it raises any query.
Once the assignee is recorded as the proprietor, renewals are filed in the new owner's name. It is therefore best to complete the recordal well before the registration is due for renewal.
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