How to update my IP right details

What you'll need to update

Before the trade mark is registered

After submitting your trade mark application, you can apply to make limited changes to:

• Who owns the trade mark
• The owner's name
• The owner's address
• The owner's contact details
• Some parts of the application in response to an examination report.

After the trade mark is registered

You'll need to keep the details of your trade mark up-to-date once it's been registered. You'll need to update any changes to:

• The applicant's name
• The applicant's address
• The representation of the trade mark.

You'll also need to make an update if you:

• Want to amend the goods or services on your trade mark, including changes to the class of goods and services
• Need a new certificate of registration after an amendment has been made
• Add or change endorsements (other than translation endorsements)
• Notice a clerical error on your application.

What to do once you've transferred ownership

Once you've assigned ownership of your trade mark, either yourself or the assignee will need to let us know so we can record it in the trade marks register. You'll need to supply a copy of signed documents that prove the assignment has been made, such as:

• Deed of assignment
• Sales agreement
• Merger certificate
• Probate.

These documents must include:

• Name(s) of the current owner(s)
• Name(s) of the new owner(s)
• Date the assignment occurred
• Trade mark number(s) which have been assigned
• Signed authorisation from all parties
• A clear statement about the agreement and transfer.

If there's more than one current owner, all owners have to approve the change.

Note: we don't manage the transfer of IP rights ownership. If you want to assign full or partial ownership of your trade mark to another party, it's your responsibility to take the appropriate steps. 

How to assign ownership of a trade mark

What you'll need to update

You can update the details of your application or patent at any time. We'll make these changes to the official patent register.

 You'll need to update changes to:

• Who owns the patent
• The applicant's name
• The inventor's name
• The title of the invention
• The owner's contact details
• The owner's address
• Agent details
• The number of inventors, such as adding or removing someone.

You'll also need to record any mortgages or transfer of licence on the Personal Property Securities Register.

Transfer your ownership

If you assign ownership of a patent to another party, you'll need to let us know. This includes a transfer of interest from one party to another or a merger.

To transfer ownership of a patent, you'll need to supply a copy of documents that confirm the transfer, such as:

• Deed of assignment
• Merger document
• Sale agreement.

These documents must include:

• The name(s) of the current owner(s)
• The name(s) of the new owner(s)
• The date the assignment occurred
• The application or patent number(s) the assignment relates to
• Signatures confirming a change of ownership. You may need to include both party's signatures.

If there's more than one current owner, all owners have to approve the change.