Protect, assign, and license your patents, trademarks, and trade secrets with the right agreement for every situation.
An IP license grants the licensee the right to use the intellectual property for a defined purpose, territory, and duration — ownership stays with the licensor. An IP assignment permanently transfers ownership to the assignee. Use a license when you want ongoing revenue or control; use an assignment when you are selling the asset outright or as part of a business sale.
An exclusive license means only the licensee can use the IP in the defined field or territory — even the licensor may be excluded. A non-exclusive license lets the licensor grant the same rights to multiple parties simultaneously. Exclusive licenses command higher fees and tighter obligations; non-exclusive licenses are more flexible and common in software and content distribution.
A general license agreement works across IP types — text, images, brand assets, or processes. A technology licensing agreement is purpose-built for software, databases, firmware, algorithms, or technical know-how and includes provisions specific to source code access, updates, support obligations, and bug-fix responsibilities. Use the technology-specific form when the licensed asset is a digital or technical product.
A trademark license must include quality control provisions — the licensor is obligated under trademark law to supervise how the mark is used, or risk losing it. A general IP license agreement does not carry this requirement. Any time a brand name, logo, or trade dress is involved, use the trademark-specific form to preserve the validity of the mark.
Every intellectual property and licensing document — regardless of IP type — is built from the same core clauses; the specific wording varies by asset and relationship.
A well-drafted IP license agreement prevents disputes over scope, revenue, and ownership by capturing every material term before work begins or access is granted.
Use full legal names for all parties and describe the IP precisely — patent number, trademark registration, software title, or a written description of the trade secret.
Specify whether the license is exclusive or non-exclusive, the permitted field of use, and the geographic territory covered.
Include a warranty from the licensor that it owns the IP and has the authority to grant the rights in the agreement.
Choose between a flat fee, running royalties tied to revenue or units, milestone payments, or a combination, and specify the payment schedule and audit rights.
State explicitly whether the licensee may sublicense rights to others or assign its position, and under what conditions.
For trademark licenses, define the brand standards the licensee must follow and the licensor's right to inspect and approve use.
Define the duration, renewal options, and the specific events — such as breach, insolvency, or change of control — that allow early termination.
Name the applicable jurisdiction and whether disputes go to court, arbitration, or mediation, and in which seat.
The right document depends on whether you are permanently transferring ownership of the IP or granting a limited right to use it, and what type of intellectual property is involved.
Licensing all types of IP rights to another business or individual
Broad-form license covering multiple IP types with flexible scope and term options.Permanently transferring ownership of IP assets to a buyer or acquirer
Transfers full title and ownership rights, not just a license to use.Documenting the general terms governing IP creation and ownership between parties
Establishes baseline IP ownership and usage rights in an ongoing relationship.Licensing proprietary software, databases, or technology to another company
Purpose-built for technology assets with source code, data, and platform-specific provisions.Allowing a third party to use your brand name or logo under defined conditions
Includes quality control and brand standards obligations required to maintain trademark validity.Assigning specific IP rights as part of a broader transaction or contract
Precise assignment language suitable for embedding in or attaching to larger deals.Granting a non-transferable, non-exclusive right to use licensed material
Limits the licensee's ability to sublicense or assign rights, protecting the licensor.Creating a licensing or IP-based business and drafting a formal plan
Structured business plan format specifically for IP-centric ventures and licensing revenue models.An intellectual property (IP) agreement is a legally binding contract that defines who owns, controls, and can use intangible assets such as patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, and software. These agreements govern the full lifecycle of IP — from establishing ownership when an asset is first created, to transferring rights when a business is sold, to generating revenue by licensing rights to third parties. Without a written IP agreement, ownership disputes, unauthorized use, and lost revenue are all significantly harder to resolve.
IP agreements split into two broad categories. Assignments permanently transfer title in the IP from one party to another — typically used in business acquisitions, settlements, or when a contractor creates work that the hiring company needs to own outright. Licenses grant a defined right to use the IP without transferring ownership — used by businesses that want to monetize their patents, trademarks, or technology while retaining control. Within licensing, the key variables are exclusivity (exclusive vs. non-exclusive), scope (field of use and territory), and economics (flat fees, royalties, or milestones).
Any time IP is being created in a business relationship, changing hands, or being made available to a third party, a written agreement should be in place before access is granted or money changes hands. Acting after the fact is expensive and often inconclusive.
Common triggers:
Skipping the IP agreement doesn't eliminate the underlying ownership question — it just leaves the answer to chance, local law defaults, or a future court. A clear, written agreement signed before work begins or rights are shared is the only reliable way to confirm who owns what and on what terms.
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