Use trademark licences - with registered trademarks
The scope to use trademark licences is wider when you own registered trademarks. It is possible to licence the use of registered trademarks. This applies to the territory, to the goods or services, and to the trademarks, as well as other aspects.
When a trademark is registered, the trademark owner can enter into a trademark licence with third parties. The trademark licence can be agreed in several ways, depending on the registered trademark. For example, the following trademark aspects can be included in a trademark licence agreement
• the territory for the trademark licence agreement;
• the goods or services involved in the trademark licence areement;
• the length of time or term for the trademark licence agreement;
• the amount of royalties for use of the registered trademark;
• whether the trademark licence agreement is exclusive or non-exclusive;
• trademark licence arrangements concerning signage;
• quality control licence matters.
In principle, there is no limit to the number of trademark licence agreements that an owner of a registered trademark can enter into. This can add value to owning a registered trademark for a good business or brand. The territories can be adjusted in terms of size or location. The types of activities may be resticted, subject to the Competition Acts.
... registered trademarks can expand your territory
A registered trademark licence agreement can help to expand the business beyond the existing location, or indeed to extra territories or countries. If extra countries are involved, then the trademark must be registered in those countries to preserve the intellectual property rights. It is possible to cover the whole territory of the EU in one trademark registration. For more information visit our Community trademark page.
The EU passed a directive in 2003 dealing with taxation of interest and royalties under the EC Interest and Royalties Directive 2003/EC/49. Ireland has implemented this directive. The directive allows for trademark licence royalties to be earned by associated companies in members states of the EU that are part of a group, to be exempt from double taxation in certain circumstances.
This may be attractive for trademark licences in groups of companies that either charge licence royalties or obtain trademark royalties< from licence agreements dealing with use of intellectual property rights.
Obviously, the trademark licence territory applicable for registered trademarks can be considerably larger than the size of a business premises - being the whole country where the trademark is registered rather than confined to say one industrial building or property.
Trademark licences are used in franchising
One of the main controls in franchising a business is control using registered trademarks. The owner of a registered trademark, with franchisees, wants to ensure appropriate standards of quality are met. Withdrawal of permission to use the registered trademark can be very powerful in controlling other users of the trademark.
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Trademark licences give benefits for registered trademark owners
A trademark licence can help to earn additional income, royalties, and capitalise on the use of a registered trademark for its owner.
Trademark licences for registered trademarks can be arranged. A trademark licence agreement can be registered as part of the aspects of trademark registration, if it relates to a registered trademark. This can affect the title or rights attaching to the registered trademark. Some of the trademark licences deal with the following issues: -
• the registration details of the trademark;
• the grant of licence arrangements;
• powers of licensees regarding use of the registered trademark;
• scope of trademark licence agreement and sub-licences;
• trademark licence agreement expiry or termination;
• trademark royalties;
• responsibilities of the parties e.g. trademark advertising;
• registration of the licence agreement; and,
• international trademark registration
On occasions an owner of a registered trademark permits another party to ue the trademark in certain circumstances. This is usually governed by a trademark licence agreement, royalty arrangements, and arrangements to protect the trademark's intellectual property and title. This can strengthen market positioning versus competitors.
We can help with trademark licences. Trademark licences can be being purpose-built to meet primary trademark registration needs, and to commercialise on potential for trademark royalties.
Battle For Trademarks can offer, especially for trademark licences in Ireland, the following:
• attractive pricing;
• No time-based fees - our competitor trademark agents prefer hourly fees;
• No setup costs to have us act as trademark agents in Ireland;
• No hidden charges;
• All-in clear-cut pricing;
• Responsive support; and,
• Better competition against our trademark agents competitors.
Businesses are looking to expand and improve their market position. They also want to enhance asset values. Brands can be turned into assets when they have been registered as trademarks. Assets that can be more valuable than property and often more versatile. BATTLE® trademark licence services:
• can protect brands,
• can help you get a statutory monopoly,
• can turn brands into property-like assets,
• can give you a competitive edge in your territory, and
• can legally establish your intellectual property rights.
Moreover, BATTLE® trademark licence services can help to:
1. put you in the driving seat in terms of cost control;
2. offer other trademark agents strong competition; and,
3. can provide other many add-on trademark agents services, like advice on trademark opposition in Ireland or the EU.
BATTLE® trademark licence services can develop:
• stronger brand protection,
• statutory monopoly rights,
• more valuable assets,
• turning good brands into pots of gold,
• more secure market positioning,
• prompt delivery because that is what you purchase,
• good value offered to both small and large customers.






