Trademarks
Transfers ownership and requires the prescribed CNIPA procedure to change the official record.
Allows agreed use without transferring ownership; recordal improves public notice and legal clarity.
Similar marks on identical or similar goods may need coordinated transfer to avoid confusion.
The licensor must supervise quality, and the licensee must preserve the source-identifying function of the mark.
Send us the issue, the relevant rights, and any deadline. We will route it to the right practice lead within one business day.
Contact UsAn assignment moves the trademark asset to a new owner. A licence leaves ownership with the registrant and grants defined use rights. The commercial question is whether the recipient needs permanent control, a limited operating right, security for an investment, or a transition arrangement after a transaction.
Do not use an informal authorisation letter where the deal actually requires ownership, exclusivity, sublicensing, enforcement control, or rights that survive a corporate restructuring.
Confirm the registration number, owner name, address, status, classes and goods, renewals, pledges, prior licences, disputes, customs recordals, and related marks. Compare the official owner with the contracting entity and establish authority to sign.
For an assignment, identify identical or similar marks owned by the transferor for identical or similar goods. Chinese practice may require coordinated transfer and may reject arrangements that create confusion or other adverse effects.
Define the mark, goods or services, territory, channels, term, exclusivity, sublicensing, approved presentation, quality standards, inspection, reporting, enforcement, online accounts, customs cooperation, fees, taxes, and termination. State who owns goodwill, local-language versions, packaging, domains, and new applications.
A recorded licence gives public notice, but recordal does not replace a complete contract. The parties still need a workable quality-control and evidence process.
Prepare names, translations, identity documents, powers, contracts or extracts, and signatures in the required form. Resolve discrepancies in entity names and addresses before they delay recordal. Track acceptance and the updated official database rather than assuming that signing completed the transfer.
Also update customs, platforms, distributors, domain accounts, product labels, enforcement authorities, and internal systems where the owner or authorised user changes.
A licence should explain sell-off, removal of marks, inventory and packaging treatment, return or deletion of artwork, account transfer, pending complaints, use evidence, and post-termination cooperation. An assignment should cover original files, certificates, prosecution records, opposition and dispute files, watch services, and future correspondence.
CNIPA: Guidance on Trademark Transfer Procedures
This article is general information about Chinese IP practice, not legal advice for a specific matter. It was last reviewed on 2026-08-21. Rules, fees, and timelines change; confirm current requirements before acting. For advice on your situation, contact our team.