Intellectual Property Law · European Union
Move Intellectual Property With Terms That Actually Transfer the Value
Buying, selling or contributing IP means more than signing a purchase agreement — it means making sure the rights genuinely move, the price matches the risk, and nothing is left behind. We match you, free of charge, with a vetted intellectual property lawyer who handles IP transactions end to end.
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Who this is for
An IP transaction succeeds or fails on whether the rights, and the risks, actually change hands
An IP transaction is any deal in which intellectual property is the asset at the centre of the negotiation — the sale of a patent portfolio, the assignment of a brand, the transfer of software as part of an acquisition, or the contribution of IP into a joint venture or spin-off. These deals are deceptively technical: transferring a registered right usually requires recording the assignment with the relevant office, and an unregistered right such as copyright or a trade secret moves only if the underlying agreements and records are in order. Beyond the transfer itself, the deal has to allocate warranties, indemnities, transition support and any retained rights between the parties. Because registration and recording requirements vary by country, and because a single missing assignment can leave a gap in the chain of title, specialist transaction counsel is usually the difference between a clean transfer and a post-closing dispute.
Why transfers fail
The parties signed the papers.
The rights did not actually move.
Unrecorded assignments, retained rights and missing chain-of-title documents leave both sides exposed to a problem that only emerges when the asset is later tested.
Assignments never recorded
A sale or transfer of a registered right typically has to be recorded with the relevant IP office to be effective against third parties — skip that step and the new owner can find the rights still in the seller’s name when it matters most.
Chain-of-title gaps
If an earlier assignment from a founder, contractor or predecessor was never properly executed, the current seller may not own what it is trying to sell — and the buyer inherits a defect that can unravel the whole transaction.
Retained rights not addressed
Without clarity on what the seller keeps — licences back, continued use, transitional services or non-compete restrictions — both parties can end up operating on the same technology and heading towards a dispute.
What you get
An IP transactions lawyer who closes the deal cleanly
We only match you with intellectual property lawyers who handle IP sales, assignments and strategic transactions regularly in your jurisdiction.
Structuring the transfer
Your lawyer designs the right structure — asset sale, assignment, licence-back, contribution or spin-off — and drafts the agreement so the commercial intent and the legal transfer actually match.
Chain-of-title repair
Get the missing assignments, employment and contractor agreements and corporate authorisations identified and fixed before closing, so the rights you are buying or selling are genuinely transferable.
Recording & formalities
Your lawyer handles the recording of assignments with the relevant IP offices and the other formalities that make the transfer effective against third parties, across each jurisdiction involved.
Warranties & risk allocation
You get negotiated warranties, indemnities and transition terms that fairly allocate risk — who stands behind the title, what happens if a right is later challenged, and how handover is managed.
Coverage
IP transactions lawyers across Europe
Recording, formalities and enforceability of IP transfers are national matters, so a clean transaction depends on counsel who practises in the jurisdictions where the rights are registered or exploited. We match cases across the following countries and beyond:
Frequently asked
IP transactions — common questions
What is an IP transaction?
Any deal in which intellectual property is the central asset, such as the sale or assignment of a patent or trade mark portfolio, the transfer of software in an acquisition, or the contribution of IP to a joint venture or spin-off.
What is the difference between an assignment and a licence?
An assignment transfers ownership of the intellectual property to another party, while a licence grants permission to use it while ownership stays with the owner. The right choice depends on your commercial goals and tax and structuring considerations.
Do IP assignments need to be recorded?
Typically yes. For registered rights such as patents and trade marks, recording the assignment with the relevant IP office is usually necessary to make the transfer effective against third parties. Requirements vary by country, so this should be handled carefully.
What is a ‘chain of title’ and why does it matter?
The chain of title is the sequence of documents showing how ownership passed to the current holder. If any link — an assignment from a founder, contractor or predecessor — is missing or defective, the seller may not own what it is selling, which can undermine the transaction.
What warranties are typical in an IP transaction?
Common warranties cover ownership and validity of the rights, absence of undisclosed licences or encumbrances, and no known infringement claims. The exact set is negotiated, and indemnities may back specific risks such as a pending dispute or a title defect.
How is intellectual property valued in a transaction?
Valuation depends on factors such as the rights’ scope and remaining term, territorial coverage, revenue or royalty history, and the strength of the title. There is no single formula, and specialist input is usually part of determining a defensible price.
Free case review
Close your IP deal with the rights actually in your name
Tell us about the transaction and we’ll connect you with an intellectual property lawyer who handles IP transfers in your jurisdiction — free of charge, with no obligation to hire.