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Brand License Agreement

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BRAND LICENSE AGREEMENT

This Brand License Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into as of Effective Date: by and between Licensor Name: , a Corporation LLC Individual, organized under the laws of , with principal place of business at ; and Licensee Name: , a Corporation LLC Individual, organized under the laws of , with principal place of business at . Licensor and Licensee are each a "Party" and collectively the "Parties."

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Licensor owns certain trademarks, service marks, trade dress and related goodwill relating to the brand identified as Brand Name: and proprietary marks and logos (the "Licensed Marks"); and

WHEREAS, Licensee desires to obtain a limited license to use the Licensed Marks in connection with the Products and Services described herein and Licensor is willing to grant such a license on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, the Parties intend by this Agreement to define the scope, quality controls, financial terms, and the respective rights and obligations of the Parties with respect to the Licensed Marks.

NOW, THEREFORE

In consideration of the mutual covenants and promises contained herein, the Parties agree as follows:

1. DEFINITIONS

1.1 "Licensed Marks" means the trademarks, service marks, logos, and trade dress identified in Exhibit A and any additional marks nominated by Licensor in writing and accepted by Licensee in accordance with this Agreement. Licensed Marks currently include the principal brand elements described as: .

1.2 "Products" means the goods and services listed in Schedule 1 attached hereto for which Licensee is authorized to use the Licensed Marks.

2. GRANT OF LICENSE

2.1 Grant. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Licensor hereby grants to Licensee a non-exclusive/exclusive (select one) license to use the Licensed Marks solely in connection with the manufacture, distribution, marketing and sale of the Products in the Territory: .

2.2 Restrictions. Licensee shall not use the Licensed Marks for any products or services not expressly authorized in Schedule 1, shall not register any mark confusingly similar to the Licensed Marks, and shall not create any derivative marks without prior written approval from Licensor.

3. TERM AND TERMINATION

3.1 Term. The term of this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and continue for a period of years unless earlier terminated in accordance with this Agreement. The initial term may be extended by written agreement of the Parties.

3.2 Termination for Cause. Either Party may terminate this Agreement upon written notice if the other Party materially breaches this Agreement and fails to cure the breach within days after receipt of written notice specifying the breach.

3.3 Effect of Termination. Upon termination, Licensee shall immediately cease all use of the Licensed Marks, destroy or return marketing materials as directed by Licensor, and deliver written certification of compliance. Termination shall not relieve Licensee of obligations accrued prior to termination.

4. ROYALTIES AND PAYMENT

4.1 Royalty Rate. Licensee shall pay Licensor a royalty equal to of Net Sales of the Products, subject to the accounting and audit provisions below.

4.2 Payment Terms. Royalties shall be paid within days following the end of each calendar quarter together with a statement of Net Sales and calculations. Late payments shall accrue interest at .

4.3 Audit Rights. Licensor shall have the right, not more than once per calendar year, to audit Licensee's records relating to sales of the Products upon reasonable prior written notice during normal business hours.

5. QUALITY CONTROL

5.1 Standards. Licensee agrees that the Licensed Marks shall be used only in connection with products and services that meet reasonable quality standards established by Licensor. Licensee shall submit samples of Products and related promotional materials to Licensor for approval as follows: .

5.2 Inspections. Licensor may inspect Licensee's facilities and samples upon reasonable notice to ensure compliance with quality standards. Licensee shall maintain commercially reasonable controls to preserve the reputation and goodwill of the Licensed Marks.

6. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY; OWNERSHIP

6.1 Ownership. Licensor retains all right, title and interest in and to the Licensed Marks and associated goodwill. Nothing in this Agreement shall confer upon Licensee any right or interest in the Licensed Marks except the limited license expressly granted.

6.2 Enforcement. Licensor shall have the sole right to determine whether to institute proceedings for infringement of the Licensed Marks. Licensee shall promptly notify Licensor of any suspected infringement and shall cooperate, at Licensor's expense, in enforcement actions.

7. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

7.1 Mutual Representations. Each Party represents and warrants that it has full corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder, and that this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation enforceable in accordance with its terms.

7.2 Licensor Representations. Licensor represents that, to its knowledge, the Licensed Marks do not infringe third party rights and that it has the right to grant the license granted herein. Licensor does not represent that the Licensed Marks are not subject to prior claims by third parties beyond Licensor's knowledge.

7.3 Licensee Representations. Licensee represents that it will use the Licensed Marks in compliance with applicable law and with the quality standards set by Licensor and will not use the Licensed Marks in any way that could harm Licensor's reputation or legal rights.

8. INDEMNIFICATION

8.1 Indemnification by Licensee. Licensee shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless Licensor and its officers, directors and affiliates from and against any and all losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of Licensee's use of the Licensed Marks, Licensee's products, or Licensee's breach of this Agreement.

8.2 Indemnification by Licensor. Licensor shall indemnify Licensee against third-party claims that the Licensed Marks, as provided by Licensor, infringe a third party's intellectual property rights, provided Licensee gives prompt written notice and cooperates in the defense.

9. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

EXCEPT FOR LIABILITY ARISING FROM WILLFUL MISCONDUCT, GROSS NEGLIGENCE, OR A PARTY'S BREACH OF ITS CONFIDENTIALITY OR INDEMNIFICATION OBLIGATIONS, NEITHER PARTY SHALL BE LIABLE FOR INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING LOST PROFITS, WHETHER BASED IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, AND IN NO EVENT SHALL EITHER PARTY'S AGGREGATE LIABILITY EXCEED THE TOTAL AMOUNTS PAID OR PAYABLE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT DURING THE TWELVE (12) MONTHS PRECEDING THE CLAIM.

10. CONFIDENTIALITY

10.1 Obligation. Each Party shall maintain in confidence all Confidential Information disclosed by the other Party and shall not use such Confidential Information except to perform its obligations under this Agreement. Confidential Information shall include business plans, specifications, pricing, and any non-public information regarding the Licensed Marks.

10.2 Duration. The confidentiality obligations shall survive termination of this Agreement for a period of years, except for trade secrets which shall be protected for so long as they remain trade secrets under applicable law.

11. PUBLICITY

Licensee shall not use Licensor's name, logo or other identifying information in press releases, advertisements or promotional materials without prior written consent of Licensor, except as reasonably necessary to identify Licensee as an authorized licensee in ordinary commercial communications. Approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.

12. NOTICES

All notices, requests or other communications required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and delivered by certified mail, courier, or personal delivery to the addresses below or such other address as a Party may designate by written notice to the other Party.

13. AMENDMENTS AND WAIVER

No amendment to this Agreement shall be effective unless it is in writing and signed by authorized representatives of both Parties. No failure or delay by either Party in exercising any right shall operate as a waiver of that right.

14. COUNTERPARTS

This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Signatures transmitted by electronic means shall be valid and binding.

15. GOVERNING LAW; ENTIRE AGREEMENT; SEVERABILITY

15.1 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of , without regard to its conflicts of law principles.

15.2 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, including all Schedules and Exhibits attached hereto, constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, whether written or oral.

15.3 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect and such invalid or unenforceable provision shall be reformed to the maximum extent permitted by law.

MISCELLANEOUS

16.1 Assignment. Licensee shall not assign or sublicense its rights under this Agreement without the prior written consent of Licensor, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. This Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their permitted successors and assigns.

16.2 Taxes. Each Party shall be responsible for its own taxes arising from the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Licensee shall be responsible for sales, use or value-added taxes imposed on the sale of Products.

Licensor Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Licensee Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Enter text✕

What a Brand License Agreement Covers

A Brand License Agreement is a contract that grants a party the right to use trademarks, logos, trade dress, or other brand assets under defined terms. It specifies scope of use, permitted channels, geographic territory, duration, quality-control requirements, and financial terms such as royalties or fees. The agreement allocates intellectual property ownership, sets performance milestones, and includes termination and breach remedies. Parties often include reporting and audit rights to verify compliance with brand standards and payment obligations, and may require insurance or indemnity provisions to manage risk.

Why a Clear Brand License Agreement Matters

A well-drafted Brand License Agreement clarifies rights and obligations, protects trademark owners, and preserves consistent brand presentation across channels.

Why a Clear Brand License Agreement Matters

Who Typically Prepares and Signs These Agreements

Licensing teams, in-house counsel, brand managers, and business development leads commonly prepare or request Brand License Agreements.

  • Trademark owners and licensors seeking to expand brand reach securely and consistently.
  • Licensees such as franchisees, distributors, or co-branding partners needing defined use permissions.
  • Legal and finance departments that must ensure compliance, reporting, and payment terms are enforceable.

Execution often requires authorized corporate signatories; third-party approval (legal or brand) is typical before final signature.

Step-by-Step: How to Complete a Brand License Agreement

Follow these steps in order to prepare, review, and sign a Brand License Agreement.

  • 01
    Prepare draft: Identify parties, licensed marks, territory, term, and payment structure.
  • 02
    Internal review: Legal and brand teams confirm IP ownership and quality-control clauses.
  • 03
    Negotiation: Agree on royalties, reporting, audit rights, and termination triggers.
  • 04
    Execution: Authorized signatories sign, date, and exchange fully executed copies.

Core Clauses to Include in a Professional Agreement

Every Brand License Agreement should include clear, enforceable clauses that define rights, responsibilities, and remedies to reduce ambiguity and legal exposure.

Grant of License

Precisely describe the rights granted, exclusivity or non-exclusivity, permitted uses, and any sublicensing restrictions to avoid unintended transfer of rights.

Quality Control

Set measurable standards, approval workflows for branded materials, and periodic audits to protect trademark integrity and consumer perception.

Financial Terms

Detail royalty calculation, minimum guarantees, invoicing, late payment interest, and audit remedies to ensure predictable revenue and enforceability.

Term and Renewal

State initial term, renewal mechanics, automatic renewal conditions, and notice periods for nonrenewal or renegotiation.

Termination and Remedies

List termination events, cure periods, post-termination obligations for inventory and marketing, and injunctive relief options for infringements.

Indemnity and Insurance

Allocate liability for IP claims, require insurance levels where appropriate, and describe defense and settlement responsibilities.

Essential Security and Compliance Details to Record

Encryption: AES-256 at rest; TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit
Audit Trail: Timestamps, IP addresses, action history
HIPAA BAA: Signed BAA required for PHI handling
Access Controls: Role-based permissions and SSO
Retention: Secure storage with defined retention policy
Authentication: Email, SMS, KBA, or advanced methods

Common Preparation Pitfalls to Avoid

  • Vague scope language that permits uses beyond intended products or channels, leading to enforcement disputes and brand dilution.
  • Failure to record trademark registration numbers or precise mark depictions, which complicates infringement claims and audits.
  • Missing payment schedules or unclear royalty calculations that produce late payments, billing disputes, and strained partner relationships.
  • Not specifying quality-control processes or approval rights, which often results in inconsistent branding and reputational risk.

Key Risks and Consequences of a Deficient Agreement

Intellectual Property Loss: Unclear terms can erode trademark rights
Financial Liability: Unenforceable royalties or indemnities create exposure
Contract Termination: Breach triggers loss of license and inventory write-offs
Regulatory Noncompliance: Improper handling of PHI or consumer data risks fines
Reputational Harm: Unapproved use damages brand perception
Tax Reporting: Incorrect reporting triggers penalties or backup withholding

Typical Execution Workflow for Electronic Signatures

A straightforward online signing workflow reduces turnaround and preserves evidentiary records of execution.

  • Upload: Sender uploads agreement and supporting exhibits.
  • Prepare: Place signature, date, and initial fields as needed.
  • Authenticate: Choose signer authentication level (email, SMS, KBA).
  • Complete: Signers execute; platform records audit trail.

How to Configure an Online Licensing Workflow

Configure fields and routing to reflect signatory order and required approvals before sending for signature.

Field Configuration
Signature Order Sequential routing ensures approvals before final signature
Authentication Email link by default; add SMS or KBA for higher assurance
Conditional Fields Show royalty schedule only when checkbox selected
Post-Sign Delivery Automatic PDFs to all parties and central repository

Technical Considerations for eSigning and Integration

Choose a platform that supports required security, integration, and compliance features relevant to licensing workflows.

  • Integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, Google Workspace compatibility
  • File Formats: PDF and DOCX import/export supported
  • API Access: Available for automated routing and storage

Verify platform compliance requirements such as HIPAA, SOC 2, and ESIGN/UETA support before choosing integration patterns.

Typical Deadlines and Notice Periods in a Brand License

Common deadlines and notification windows appear throughout the agreement; record them to ensure timely compliance.

Effective Date:

The date obligations commence; use MM/DD/YYYY format

Royalty Reporting:

Quarterly or monthly reports commonly due within 30–45 days

Initial Payment Due:

Often on or before the effective date per contract terms

Renewal Notice:

Typical notice periods are 60–90 days before term expiration

Termination Notice:

Cure period frequently ranges 30–60 days before termination

Key Milestones from Negotiation to Post-Termination

Track milestones sequentially to coordinate approvals, payments, and compliance tasks through the agreement lifecycle.

01

Drafting Complete

Final internal draft approved by legal and brand teams.

02

Signature Execution

Fully executed contract and delivery of executed copies.

03

First Royalty Report

Licensee submits initial sales report and payment.

04

Post-Term Actions

Cease use, dispose of branded inventory, confirm account settlement.

How a Brand License Differs from a Trademark Assignment

Compare common characteristics to choose the right document type for transferring or licensing brand rights.

Criteria Brand License Trademark Assignment
Purpose limited permission full ownership transfer
Transferability usually non-transferable transfer of title
Typical Term fixed or renewable perpetual unless reserve
Consideration royalties/fees lump-sum purchase

Comparing eSignature Vendors for Licensing Workflows

Vendor pricing and capabilities vary; signNow appears first to compare common plan and compliance criteria relevant to Brand License Agreements.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No
Envelope Cap No cap 100 envelopes/user/year Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan

Real-World Examples of Brand Licensing Workflows

Organizations across sectors use license agreements to expand brand reach while preserving control and compliance.

Optica Ventures (COO)

The interface is simple and easy-to-use for our team.

  • Quick onboarding reduced review cycles.
  • Optica implemented standardized exhibits and streamlined approvals to ensure consistent mark use across partners, reducing rework and speeding market entry.

Fertility Centers of Illinois (Founder)

We needed flexible formats and strong compliance controls.

  • API integration supported automation.
  • The organization integrated digital workflows with their patient-facing forms and internal records management to maintain audit trails and secure handling of sensitive information.

Frequently Asked Questions About Brand License Agreements

Answers to common questions about enforceability, execution, and post-signature actions for Brand License Agreements.


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