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Trademark License Agreement

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Trademark License Agreement

This TRADEMARK LICENSE AGREEMENT is made and entered into by and between Licensor, Inc. ("Licensor"), a New York corporation with offices at , New York, New York and Licensee, Inc. ("Licensee"), a Pennsylvania corporation with offices at , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, Licensor has been using the Trademarks (as defined in Section I herein) in the United States with respect to the products of its Internet business; and

WHEREAS, Licensee desires to acquire a license to use the Trademarks with respect to Internet Products as defined herein, and Licensor has the right to grant such a license and is willing to do so pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1. Definitions

1.1. Trademarks

The term "Trademarks" means the trademarks as set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto.

1.2. Internet Products

The term "Internet Products" means those set forth in Exhibit B attached hereto.

2. Grant

Licensor hereby grants to Licensee, to the extent that it is its right to do so, a non-exclusive right for a period of () years from the date hereof to reproduce the Trademarks as necessary on copies of the Internet Products, on all advertising, and promotional materials, cartons, containers, jewel cases, wrapping material, display material, or other materials which utilize the Trademarks for the sole purpose of allowing Licensee to fully promote and market the Internet Products.

The license and rights granted under this Section hereof are subject to the Internet Products being produced in accordance with specifications and standards that are substantially the same as the specifications and standards of Licensor that are in existence as of the date of this Agreement or are approved in writing by Licensor prior to the marketing of the Internet Products.

3. Royalties

For the license granted hereunder, Licensee shall pay to Licensor in the manner hereinafter provided until the termination of this Agreement a royalty of percent (%) of Sales Income (as defined herein).

As used herein, "Sales Income" shall mean all gross revenues received by Licensee in connection with any sale, license, lease or other exploitation of the Internet Product less: (i) transportation and shipping charges, including insurance; (ii) monies received for demonstration and promotional Internet Products; (iii) sales, use and excise taxes and duties paid or allowed by Licensee and any other governmental charges imposed upon Licensee for the production, use, sale or license of the Internet Product; (iv) actual credits, discounts, allowances and returns granted to customers; (v) normal and customary trade and quantity discounts and allowances; and (vi) credits for uncollected or un-collectible accounts. Except as herein provided, Sales Income shall be determined by using generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied.

Licensee shall pay Licensor () as a non-refundable advance (the "Advance") of royalties upon the execution of this Agreement.

Any royalties earned by Licensor will accrue against the Advance until such royalties exceed (), after which they will be paid directly to Licensor.

Licensee shall render to Licensor, on a quarterly basis, commencing with the quarter after the first distribution of the Internet Product takes place, a detailed written statement of the fees due to Licensor or accrued by Licensor against the Advance. Such statement shall be accompanied by a remittance of such amount as shown to be due. Each statement shall be rendered within forty-five (45) days following the end of each quarterly period; provided, however, that no statement shall be furnished for any such period in which there are no fees due to, or accrued by Licensor. Any statement remitted by Licensor hereunder shall conclusively be deemed true and correct and binding on Licensor unless Licensor submits to Licensee in writing within two (2) years after such statement has been remitted to Licensor specific objections to the submitted statement. Licensor shall have the right at its sole cost and expense to cause an independent certified public accounting firm reasonably acceptable to Licensee to examine and inspect the books and records of Licensee which relate to the Internet Product for the purpose of determining the accuracy of statements rendered by Licensee.

4. Ownership

Licensee acknowledges that the Trademarks are the exclusive and sole property of Licensor, and Licensee agrees that it will not contest the ownership or validity of the Trademarks. Licensee agrees that any and all rights that might be acquired by its use of the Trademarks shall inure to the sole benefit of Licensor.

Licensee agrees not to use or register in any country any trademarks, trade names, or other designations resembling or confusingly similar to the Trademarks. Whenever the attention to Licensee is called by Licensor or any such confusion or risk of confusion, Licensee agrees to take appropriate steps immediately to remedy or avoid such confusion. Nothing herein contained, however, shall be construed as prohibiting or limiting Licensee from adopting or using non-similar designations or trademarks in relation to Interact Products.

5. Compliance

Licensee agrees to comply with rules set forth from time to time by Licensor with respect to the appearance and manner of use of the Trademarks. Any form of use of the Trademarks not specifically provided for by such rules shall be adopted by Licensee only upon prior approval in writing by Licensor. Representative specimens showing the use of the Trademarks by Licensee shall be sent to Licensor from time to time upon request by Licensor.

Licensee shall take reasonable steps to avoid endangering the validity of the Trademarks, including compliance with the applicable laws or regulations of all countries where Internet Products are marketed. Licensee shall execute trademark registered user agreements and similar documents required by Licensor to protect or enhance Licensor's title and rights in the Trademarks.

Licensee shall promptly reimburse Licensor for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in:

(a) obtaining and maintaining trademark registrations where such registrations would not have been applied for or maintained in the absence of Licensee's activities under this Agreement;

(b) recording this Agreement;

(c) obtaining the entry of Licensee as a Registered or Authorized User of the Trademarks; and

(d) performing quality control activities pursuant to Section 7 of this Agreement.

6. Advertising

Licensee shall use reasonable efforts to maintain the validity and distinctiveness of the Trademarks so as to enhance the goodwill symbolized by the Trademarks. If requested by Licensor, Licensee will include in advertising and marketing and sales brochures an appropriate legend stating that the Trademarks are used under license from Licensor.

7. Quality Control

Licensee agrees to furnish, at no charge, to Licensor, from time to time as requested, representative samples of Internet Products to which it affixes the Trademarks. Licensor or its authorized representatives shall also have the right upon reasonable notice to Licensee to conduct during regular business hours an examination of Licensee's Internet Products and of the plants and processes for making such products.

If, at any time, any Internet Products made or assembled by or for Licensee and bearing the Trademarks shall fail to conform to the standards of quality required by the applicable specification and standards, Licensee shall promptly remove the Trademarks from the Internet Products.

8. Information

Licensee agrees to supply Licensor, upon Licensor's reasonable request, with information concerning sales, advertising, customers and dealers of Internet Products on a country-by-country basis, as the need arises for such information, for the sole purpose of aiding Licensor in the acquisition, maintenance and renewal of trademark registration of the Trademarks, the recording of this Agreement, and the entry of Licensee as a Registered or Authorized User of the Trademarks. Any such material may be disclosed by the Licensor only to the extent that disclosure is reasonably necessary for such purpose. Licensee may limit the information provided to Licensor under this Section 8 to that information reasonably necessary for such purpose.

9. Trade Name

Licensee shall not use any of the Trademarks as a corporate name, or as a trade name, nor shall it authorize others to do so, except as may be permitted under a separate Trade Name Agreement.

10. Termination

Licensor shall have the right to terminate the licenses and rights granted under this Agreement if Licensee, at any time, defaults in performing any of its obligations under the terms and conditions of this Agreement and fails to remedy such default within sixty (60) days after receiving written notice thereof from Licensor. Licensor may also terminate the licenses and rights granted pursuant to this Agreement upon written notice of the Licensee in the event that Licensee:

(a) is adjudged bankrupt;

(b) becomes insolvent;

(c) makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors;

(d) has a receiver or trustee appointed for the benefit of its creditors;

(e) files a voluntary petition in bankruptcy;

(f) initiates reorganization proceedings or takes any step toward liquidation; or

(g) loses or has expropriated substantially all of its assets related to Internet Products.

Upon the termination of the licenses and rights granted herein, Licensee shall discontinue all permitted use of the Trademarks, and thereafter Licensee shall no longer use or have the right to use the Trademarks or any variation or simulation thereof on or in connection with Internet Products.

Any termination hereunder of Licensee's licenses and rights to use the Trademarks shall not act in any manner to relieve Licensee of its obligations under Section 3 hereof to make royalty payments to Licensor.

11. Infringement

Licensee shall promptly inform Licensor by written notice of any infringement, or possible infringement or other misuse by a third party, of the Trademarks on or in connection with products similar to Internet Products and Licensee will make available to Licensor any information relevant thereto in its possession.

Any action for infringement or other misuse of the Trademarks against another party shall be brought only by Licensor at its sole option, and in any such action all costs incurred and recoveries made shall be for the account of Licensor. Any such action shall be conducted with counsel selected by Licensor.

12. Governing Law

This Agreement shall be governed in all aspects by the laws of the United States of America and the State of New York. All disputes and/or claims arising under this Agreement shall be brought before the American Arbitration Association, in New York, New York, under the rules of that organization then in effect, without regard for the principles of conflicts of laws.

13. Complete Agreement

This Agreement, together with the annexed Exhibits, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all previous proposals, both oral and written, negotiations, representations, commitments, writings and all other communications between the parties. This Agreement may not be modified except by a writing signed by a duly authorized representative of each of the parties.

14. Indemnification

Licensee, at its own expense, shall indemnify and hold harmless Licensor, its subsidiaries, affiliates or assignees, and their directors, officers, employees and agents and defend any action brought against same with respect to any claim, demand, cause of action, debt or liability, including attorneys' fees, to the extent that it is based upon Licensee's use of the Trademarks.

Licensor assumes no responsibilities or obligation to Licensee, and Licensee shall make no claim against Licensor, regarding the safety, reliability, performance or marketability of any Internet Products marketed under the Trademarks, whether or not such products have been approved by Licensor pursuant to this Agreement.

15. Notices

All notices will be in writing and will, unless otherwise provided, be delivered personally or sent by confirmed facsimile transmission, overnight courier service or United States certified mail, proper postage prepaid, to the addresses specified above.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date hereof.

LICENSOR, INC.

By:

Title:

LICENSEE, INC.

By:

Title:

Enter text✕

What a Trademark License Agreement Is and when it’s used

A Trademark License Agreement is a written contract in which the trademark owner (licensor) grants another party (licensee) the right to use one or more trademarks under defined terms. The agreement sets scope, territory, duration, quality-control obligations, royalty structure, and any exclusivity or sub-licensing limits. While trademarks are federally registered with the USPTO, licenses are typically contract matters governed by state contract law and federal trademark law; parties often record assignments or licenses with the USPTO for public notice. Properly drafted licenses protect trademark value and maintain enforceability.

Why a clear written license matters

A clear Trademark License Agreement reduces infringement risk, preserves trademark rights through quality control, defines revenue and accounting terms, and documents rights for third parties. It creates an enforceable record of permissions and obligations that courts and registries can review.

Why a clear written license matters

Typical parties and roles involved

Licensors, licensees, counsel, and in-house IP or business teams commonly prepare and sign trademark licenses.

  • Licensors and brand owners seeking controlled use and royalty income under negotiated terms.
  • Licensees such as manufacturers, distributors, or franchisees needing permission to use marks commercially.
  • Outside counsel or corporate legal teams drafting, reviewing, and negotiating scope, indemnity, and termination provisions.

Each party’s responsibilities should be documented, including who handles enforcement, quality control, and recordation with relevant registries.

Essential clauses to include in a professional agreement

A comprehensive license focuses on rights, responsibilities, and safeguards that preserve trademark distinctiveness and business value while allocating commercial risk.

Grant

Defines the exact marks, allowed uses, exclusivity, territory, and channels of trade to prevent scope creep and downstream disputes.

Quality Control

Specifies standards, approval processes, audits, and termination triggers if the licensee’s use risks dilution or abandonment of the mark.

Royalties

Sets calculation method, payment schedule, audits, and remedies for late or missing payments to protect licensor revenues.

Term & Termination

States effective and expiration dates, renewal options, and termination for breach, insolvency, or failure to meet standards.

Indemnity

Allocates defense and indemnification responsibilities for third-party claims, including cost recovery and settlement controls.

Recordation

Explains whether the license or any assignment will be recorded with the USPTO and who pays filing fees and related costs.

Step-by-step: preparing and executing the agreement

Follow a consistent sequence to reduce negotiation cycles and ensure enforceability.

  • 01
    Draft terms: Assemble grant, scope, royalties, controls and recordation clauses.
  • 02
    Review internally: Have business, finance, and IP counsel confirm commercial and legal terms.
  • 03
    Negotiate and finalize: Circulate redlines and finalize language on key obligations and remedies.
  • 04
    Sign and record: Execute with authorized signers and record as needed with the USPTO or other registries.

How to set up a typical online signing workflow

Configure fields and routing for an efficient, auditable e-signature process that preserves evidence of consent and attribution.

Field Configuration
Signature block Place signature, printed name, title, date fields for each signer.
Order Use sequential signing when approvals must follow a business hierarchy.
Authentication Select email link, SMS code, or stronger methods for high-value agreements.
Audit settings Enable timestamp, IP capture, and completion certificate retention.

Where to send the agreement and recording considerations

Decide final destinations and recordation steps before signing to avoid delays in enforceability or public notice.

  • Licensor records copy: Retains executed original for corporate records and license monitoring.
  • USPTO recording: Record assignments or license documents with the USPTO if public notice is desired.
  • Finance and royalty teams: Send redacted copies to accounting for royalty setup and audit tracking.
  • External counsel: Provide final executed copy to counsel for file retention and enforcement planning.

Digital execution and technical needs

Choose an eSignature platform that provides secure authentication, tamper-evident PDFs, and a reliable audit trail.

  • File formats: PDF or DOCX for editable templates; signed output should be a tamper-evident PDF.
  • Authentication options: Email, SMS, KBA or enterprise SSO depending on transaction risk level.
  • Integrations: Connectors to storage, CRM, and finance systems streamline routing and recordkeeping.

Ensure the chosen platform meets legal and industry compliance needs and preserves a full audit trail for enforcement or recordation purposes.

Key timing and deadline considerations

Track dates that affect rights, payment, and recordation to avoid unintended lapse or financial penalties.

Effective Date:

Date obligations begin and triggers royalty accounting periods.

Payment due dates:

Recurring dates for royalties and minimum guarantees to avoid default.

Renewal notice deadlines:

Advance notice periods required to renew or extend a license.

Recordation window:

Record licenses when public notice or chain-of-title matters are time-sensitive.

Termination cure period:

Contractual cure time for breaches before termination rights become effective.

Typical lifecycle milestones after execution

Track milestone stages from signing through post-termination compliance to maintain rights and audit readiness.

01

Execution

Agreement signed and copies distributed to parties and counsel.

02

Recordation

Optional step to file with registries or record assignments for notice.

03

Operational phase

Licensee uses mark under quality controls and reporting obligations.

04

Post-termination wind-down

Recall of materials, final accounting, and cessation of use.

Common preparation mistakes to avoid

  • Leaving scope vague, which creates disputes about permitted goods, channels, or territories and can cause brand dilution.
  • Failing to include robust quality-control language, risking loss of trademark rights through inconsistent or substandard use.
  • Omitting recordation steps when chain-of-title or public notice is important, complicating enforcement and sale transactions.
  • Using ambiguous royalty metrics or reporting requirements, which often leads to audit disputes and payment disagreements.

Risks and legal consequences of an incomplete or incorrect agreement

Trademark abandonment: Loss of rights
Royalty disputes: Litigation risk
Recordation failure: Notice gaps
Quality-control breach: Dilution claims
Unauthorized sublicensing: Indemnity exposure
Incorrect signatory: Voidable signature

Security, compliance, and essential data elements

Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3, AES-256
Audit trail: IP, timestamps, action log
Authentication: Email, SMS, SSO options
HIPAA readiness: BAA available when needed
Retention: Tamper-evident storage
Export formats: PDF, DOCX, XML

How common eSignature providers compare on price and core features

Compare starting prices, trial availability, bulk send, audit trail, HIPAA readiness, and envelope cap to select the right plan for license workflows.

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 Yes, 7-day free trial Yes Yes Yes Yes
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No
Envelope Cap No envelope cap 100 envelopes/user/year Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan

Download, export, and supporting documents

After execution, store signed copies in multiple formats and include supporting exhibits needed for enforcement or recordation.

Signed PDF

Tamper-evident PDF with embedded audit trail preserves timestamps, signer attribution, and signature metadata for enforcement.

Editable Source

Keep a DOCX or native file for future amendments, redlines, or translation while archiving the executed PDF.

Exhibits

Attach trademark registrations, specimen samples, and quality-control manuals as labeled exhibits to the agreement.

Certificate of Completion

Retain the platform’s completion certificate or audit report as proof of the signing process and authentication steps.

Who signs and who should authorize execution

Licensor — Chief Legal Officer

A senior legal or corporate officer typically has authority to bind the licensor entity. Confirm board or corporate signatory limits and document any required corporate resolutions before signing.

Licensee — General Counsel

The licensee’s GC or an authorized executive should sign. Verify signature authority in procurement or corporate bylaws to ensure the agreement is enforceable against the entity.

Representative examples of usage and outcomes

Real customers report faster execution cycles and reliable recordkeeping when using secure eSignature workflows for licensing documents.

Optica Ventures (COO)

The interface is simple and easy-to-use for our team; more importantly, it is just as easy for our customers.

  • Reduced turnaround time for contracts by removing in-person signing steps.
  • The result was faster license onboarding and fewer follow-ups while maintaining a clear executed record for audits and enforcement.

Fertility Centers of Illinois (Founder)

The airSlate SignNow team has been exceptional, responsive, the API has been great, and we're extremely happy that we chose airSlate SignNow as a company.

  • Integration enabled automated distribution of executed agreements to counsel and finance.
  • That integration reduced administrative handoffs and centralized retention for compliance and future licensing decisions.

Frequently asked questions and common issues

Answers to frequent legal and technical questions encountered when preparing, signing, or recording trademark license agreements.


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