Author's Note
The Patent Assignment is a Swiss-law governed standard agreement for the sale of patents (including applications for grant). This template is designed for use solely in an intra-group context, including in the case of value chain reorganizations or other re-alignment of functions relating to the development, maintenance and enhancement of intellectual property. It allows for the purchase price to be paid in cash or dealt with by way of an inter-company loan ( separate Loan Agreement template available ). In addition, it contains optional provisions relating to the sharing of Know-how and the provision of related personnel assistance to enable the assignee to make full use of the assigned patents. Terms which are configurable to the user’s needs include: Purpose and background; Effective date; Details of the patents to be assigned; Purchase price, payment terms and adjustment mechanisms; Provisions relating to the transfer of related...
Read moreThe Patent Assignment is a Swiss-law governed standard agreement for the sale of patents (including applications for grant).
This template is designed for use solely in an intra-group context, including in the case of value chain reorganizations or other re-alignment of functions relating to the development, maintenance and enhancement of intellectual property. It allows for the purchase price to be paid in cash or dealt with by way of an inter-company loan (separate Loan Agreement template available).
In addition, it contains optional provisions relating to the sharing of Know-how and the provision of related personnel assistance to enable the assignee to make full use of the assigned patents.
Terms which are configurable to the user’s needs include:
- Purpose and background;
- Effective date;
- Details of the patents to be assigned;
- Purchase price, payment terms and adjustment mechanisms;
- Provisions relating to the transfer of related Know-how;
- Payment of filing and registration fees for the transfer of patents and patent applications;
- Warranties as to non-infringement;
- Provisions relating to notices; and
- Jurisdiction and arbitration.
This template includes standard warranties relating to the assignor’s ownership of the patents, as well as the parties’ authority to enter into and perform the agreement. A warranty as to non-infringement may optionally be included. Save in respect of breach of warranty, the assignor’s liability is excluded.
Circumstances of Use
This document is intended to document the transfer of patents from one group company to another, on the basis of either fair market value or book value.
The Patent Assignment (intra-group) may be used for cross-border transactions where the parties have agreed to use Swiss law.
Terms of Use
The purchase of this Product is subject to PartnerVine Terms.
You (the registered user through whose account the purchase is made) may:
- Access the document-generation interview for 90 days from date of purchase;
- Export and download an unlimited number of copies of the document(s) in Word or pdf format;
- Share and use the document copies in connection with the circumstances described in this Author’s Note and only for the ordinary business purposes of the group of companies to which you belong.
Exclusions and Limitations
Where the parties have agreed that payment of the purchase price will be left outstanding as an inter-company loan, the Patent Assignment (intra-group) may be used in conjunction with the Simple Loan Agreement.
Other Comments
It is typical for intellectual property to be transferred intra-group at fair market value, although the template optionally includes the ability to transfer at book value.
Advice from group tax and accounting functions should be obtained prior to executing this agreement.
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Frequently asked questions
(1) Assignor and (2) Assignee
Patents can be (1) granted, (2) applied for grant, (3) a combination of granted patents and applications
The main sources exist: (1) functional reorganisation: if the transfer results from a value chain reorganisation or other re-alignment of functions with patent ownership. (2) agreement to transfer
Tangible materials means all written materials embodying or relating to the patents. It can be stated that they must be delivered on request.
Through (1) fair market value or (2) book value. The contract may state that the price is reviewable and adjustable. The deadline for purchase price adjustment must be specified in the assignment.
Through (1) fair market value or (2) book value. The contract may state that the price is reviewable and adjustable. The deadline for purchase price adjustment must be specified in the assignment.
Payment can either take place (1) on or before the effective date, (2) on a specific date, (3) within 10 days after the last date of signature.
Either the Assignor or the Assignee bears all costs.
It is possible to include warranty. However, patents can also be transferred "as is".
Yes, in an intra-group agreement, the parties may have more flexibility if email qualifies as writing (e.g. for the purposes of “written notice”). This must be specified in the agreement and may even allow termination. It is good practice to specify who is able to receive or send notices. Moreover, inserting a title is recommended, rather than an individual's name (e.g. "the Finance Director"), as roles and responsibilities change over time.
You may choose to resolve disputes in court or through arbitration.
This agreement is governed by Swiss law. If you do not specify the place of jurisdiction, any court which is competent under Swiss law will have jurisdiction to resolve a dispute.