Establishing secure connection…Loading editor…Preparing document…

License Agreement for Trademark Use

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

License Agreement with regard to use of Trademark in Connection with a Manufactured Product

Agreement made on the (date), between , a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the state of , with its principal office located at , referred to herein as Licensor, and , a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the state of , with its principal office located at , referred to herein as Licensee.

Whereas, Licensor is a manufacturer of (the Product), having designed and developed said Product; and

Whereas, Licensee has established a market for the Product using the trademark pictured in Exhibit A attached hereto and made a part hereof (the Trademark); and

Whereas, Licensee desires to obtain license rights to make the Product in accordance with the specifications of Licensor and subsequently market the same under the Trademark.

Now, therefore, for and in consideration of the mutual covenants contained in this agreement, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

1. Grant

Licensor grants to Licensee the right to use the Trademark in connection with the Product, but only so long as such Product are manufactured in accordance with the specifications established by Licensor.

2. Quality Control

Representatives of Licensor will provide detailed specifications to Licensee which relate to the materials for and the manufacture of the Product. Representatives of Licensor will have the unqualified right, at any and all reasonable times, and without prior notice, to inspect the materials and manufacturing processes employed by Licensee in the manufacture of the Product.

3. Marking

Licensee will mark the Product with a suitable legend, in a form approved in advance by Licensor, indicating that the Product is made under license.

4. Advertising

Licensee will submit to Licensor, for prior approval, all of Licensee's proposed advertising with respect to the Product licensed to be sold under the Trademark.

5. Royalty

As consideration for the license granted under this Agreement, Licensee agrees to pay to Licensor % of Licensee's net selling price of the Product. License fees under this Agreement will be remitted quarterly and Licensee will keep sufficient and accurate books and records to enable verification of the amount due under this Agreement.

6. Termination

This Agreement will have an initial term of (e.g., two) years and will automatically be renewed, at the option of Licensee, for successive (e.g., two) -year periods, provided, however, that (a) Licensee gives 90 days prior notice of intent to renew; and (b) Licensee will have no right of renewal if Licensee is in breach or default ninety (90) days prior to the end of a (e.g., two) -year term.

7. Severability

The invalidity of any portion of this Agreement will not and shall not be deemed to affect the validity of any other provision. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, the parties agree that the remaining provisions shall be deemed to be in full force and effect as if they had been executed by both parties subsequent to the expungement of the invalid provision.

8. No Waiver

The failure of either party to this Agreement to insist upon the performance of any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, or the waiver of any breach of any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, shall not be construed as subsequently waiving any such terms and conditions, but the same shall continue and remain in full force and effect as if no such forbearance or waiver had occurred.

9. Governing Law

This Agreement shall be governed by, construed, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of .

10. Notices

Any notice provided for or concerning this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed sufficiently given when sent by certified or registered mail if sent to the respective address of each party as set forth at the beginning of this Agreement.

11. Attorney’s Fees

In the event that any lawsuit is filed in relation to this Agreement, the unsuccessful party in the action shall pay to the successful party, in addition to all the sums that either party may be called on to pay, a reasonable sum for the successful party's attorney fees.

12. Mandatory Arbitration

Any dispute under this Agreement shall be required to be resolved by binding arbitration of the parties hereto. If the parties cannot agree on an arbitrator, each party shall select one arbitrator and both arbitrators shall then select a third. The third arbitrator so selected shall arbitrate said dispute. The arbitration shall be governed by the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in force and effect.

13. Entire Agreement

This Agreement shall constitute the entire agreement between the parties and any prior understanding or representation of any kind preceding the date of this Agreement shall not be binding upon either party except to the extent incorporated in this Agreement.

14. Modification of Agreement

Any modification of this Agreement or additional obligation assumed by either party in connection with this Agreement shall be binding only if placed in writing and signed by each party or an authorized representative of each party.

15. Assignment of Rights

The rights of each party under this Agreement are personal to that party and may not be assigned or transferred to any other person, firm, corporation, or other entity without the prior, express, and written consent of the other party.

16. In this Agreement, any reference to a party includes that party's heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, singular includes plural and masculine includes feminine.

WITNESS our signatures as of the day and date first above stated.

(Name of Licensor)

By:

(Printed name & Office in Corporation)

(Signature of Officer)

(Name of Licensee)

By:

(Printed name & Office in Corporation)

(Signature of Officer)

Enter text✕

What a License Agreement for Trademark Use Is

A License Agreement for Trademark Use is a written contract where a trademark owner (licensor) grants another party (licensee) permission to use a registered trademark under defined conditions. The agreement sets the permitted goods or services, territorial limits, duration, quality-control standards, royalty or fee terms, recordation or filing instructions, and termination conditions. It preserves the owner’s rights by requiring compliance with quality and usage rules, and it documents financial and reporting obligations while allocating indemnity and enforcement rights between the parties.

Why this agreement matters for protecting and monetizing a mark

A written trademark license clarifies permitted uses, preserves trademark ownership through quality control, reduces risk of abandonment, creates a basis for royalties, and supports enforceability in court by documenting consent and limits on use.

Why this agreement matters for protecting and monetizing a mark

Who typically prepares or signs a trademark license

Parties with a stake in trademark use — owners, licensees, and their legal or brand teams — handle preparation and signature of the license agreement.

  • Brand owners and in-house IP counsel responsible for granting rights and setting quality controls.
  • Business owners or license administrators who will manufacture, distribute, or market under the licensed mark.
  • Outside intellectual property attorneys or contract managers who draft, review, and negotiate license terms.

Contracts are usually executed by authorized officers or designated IP signatories; ensure the signer has corporate authority to bind the entity.

Essential elements to include in a professional license

A complete license addresses usage rules, financials, quality control, ownership, duration, and remedies to reduce ambiguity and preserve trademark rights.

Grant of Rights

Describe whether the license is exclusive or nonexclusive, the specific trademark(s) covered, permitted channels and product classes, and any sub-licensing rights permitted.

Scope & Territory

Define exact goods or services, geographic limits, and channels (online, retail, distribution). Narrow scope reduces misuse and helps meet enforcement standards.

Quality Control

Set inspection rights, approval processes for packaging or advertising, and minimum standards to prevent genericide and maintain trademark distinctiveness.

Royalties and Payment

Specify royalty rates, invoicing cadence, payment terms (net days), audit rights, and remedies for late payments or underreporting.

Duration & Termination

State initial term, renewal mechanics, cure periods for breaches, termination events, and post-termination wind-down responsibilities.

Indemnity & Ownership

Confirm licensor retains ownership, allocate defense responsibilities for infringement claims, and include procedures for handling third-party disputes.

Required information to complete the agreement

Licensor Details: Legal name, entity type, address
Licensee Details: Legal name, entity type, address
Trademark Data: Registration number, classes
Licensed Products: Goods or services
Payment Terms: Rate, schedule
Effective Date: Start date

Step-by-step: filling, approving, and executing the license

Follow these sequential steps to prepare and finalize a trademark license with minimal rework.

  • 01
    Draft core terms: Define mark, scope, payments, and quality controls.
  • 02
    Internal review: Have IP counsel and brand team review draft.
  • 03
    Negotiate and amend: Exchange revisions and finalize language.
  • 04
    Execute and record: Sign, notarize if required, and record with USPTO if appropriate.

Configuring an online workflow for the license

Set up fields, signer roles, and authentication in your eSignature platform before sending to ensure compliance and a clear audit trail.

Field Configuration
Signature Fields Assign signers and required dates
Authentication Use email and optional SMS code
Audit Trail Enable IP, timestamp, and history
Retention Automate secure storage

Digital signing and file format requirements

Use a compliant eSignature platform that supports common document formats, audit trails, and strong authentication for signers.

  • File formats: PDF and DOCX preferred
  • Integrations: Supports Salesforce, NetSuite, Google Workspace
  • Security: TLS in transit; AES-256 at rest

Confirm the platform you choose can export a tamper-evident PDF with a downloadable certificate of completion and meets any required compliance standards.

Where to send, file, and record the executed license

After execution, distribute signed copies and consider federal recordation or internal filing based on business objectives.

  • Licensed Party: Provide fully executed copy to licensee
  • Licensor File: Store executed agreement in corporate records
  • USPTO Recordation: Record instrument with USPTO for public notice (optional)
  • Accounting: Send to finance for royalty tracking

Typical timing and deadline items to track

Common deadlines include effective date, payment due dates, renewal notice periods, and audit windows; calendar these to avoid missed obligations.

Effective Date:

Date obligations and rights begin

Royalty Due Dates:

Often net 30 days after reporting period

Renewal Notice:

Typically 60–90 days before term end

Audit Window:

Audits commonly allowed annually

Record Retention:

Keep records per retention policy

Common drafting and execution pitfalls

  • Vague product descriptions that create disputes over permitted goods or services and expand unauthorized uses.
  • Lack of express quality-control procedures, risking trademark dilution or loss of rights due to inconsistent standards.
  • Missing or unclear payment and reporting mechanics, which create audit disputes and potential royalty shortfalls.
  • Failure to confirm signer authority or to notarize where required, which can delay recordation or enforcement.

Key legal risks and potential consequences

Abandonment Risk: Loss of trademark rights
Breach Damages: Monetary liability
Reputational Harm: Brand dilution
Tax Exposure: Unreported royalties taxed
Recording Omission: Weaker public notice
Enforceability Issues: Invalid signatures or authority

Who should sign and why their authority matters

Chief Legal Officer

Corporate counsel or chief legal officer typically reviews IP terms and signs on behalf of the licensor to confirm authority and manage indemnity exposure.

Authorized Officer

CEO, president, or other officer for licensee signs with capacity listed; signature should include title to show the signer’s authority to bind the entity.

Representative eSignature vendor comparison for executing trademark licenses

Compare basic plan pricing and core capabilities relevant to legal agreements. signNow is listed first per vendor-comparison conventions.

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, no credit card required Varies Varies Varies Varies
Bulk Send Yes (Business Premium) Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Frequently asked questions about completing and enforcing the license

Answers to common execution, recordation, signature, and enforceability questions for trademark license agreements.


Need help? Contact support

be ready to get more
Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users