Transfer Of Patent Ownership

[Aditya]

Hello, Can you tell me how to transfer US patent ownership?  (I currently own the patent and want to transfer ownership to someone else.)  Can I do it myself?  What forms do I need?  Thank you.

[Frazer]

To trasfer ownership you can file an assignment.  I believe the USPTO has a form for filing an assignment.  Check the website at www.uspto.gov.  

Alternatively you can license the patent to the other person or entity.  A license is basically a contract and therefore, you should consult an attorney if you are going to use this route.  There are two basic forms of licensing, exclusive and nonexclusive.  Under an exclusive license, the licensee gets the exclusive use of the patent subject matter.  Under a nonexclusive license agreement, the licensor can license the patent to any number of licensees.  The decision whether to go with an exclusive or nonexcusive license is a business decision which should be carefully weighed after consulting with an attorney.

Disclaimer:  The above information is for informational purposes only.  It is a general description of the law it describes.  Legal issues are highly factual matters and the advice which may be given is highly dependent on the facts of a particular case. It is therefore recommended that you retain counsel with experience in the particular legal problem that you face. Additionally, you should promptly address any legal matters, as delay can prejudice any legal rights you may have.

Tyler R. Goucher

Goucher Patent Law

602 East 300 South

Salt Lake City, Utah 84102

(801) 326-4554

(866) 285-2421(fax)

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www.patentattorneyatlaw.com