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Assignment Agreement Template

Use our assignment agreement to transfer contractual obligations.

Updated February 1, 2024 Reviewed by Brooke Davis

An assignment agreement is a legal document that transfers rights, responsibilities, and benefits from one party (the “assignor”) to another (the “assignee”). You can use it to reassign debt, real estate, intellectual property, leases, insurance policies, and government contracts.

What Is an Assignment Agreement?

What to include in an assignment agreement, how to assign a contract, how to write an assignment agreement, assignment agreement sample.

Partnership Interest

An assignment agreement effectively transfers the rights and obligations of a person or entity under an initial contract to another. The original party is the assignor, and the assignee takes on the contract’s duties and benefits.

It’s often a requirement to let the other party in the original deal know the contract is being transferred. It’s essential to create this form thoughtfully, as a poorly written assignment agreement may leave the assignor obligated to certain aspects of the deal.

The most common use of an assignment agreement occurs when the assignor no longer can or wants to continue with a contract. Instead of leaving the initial party or breaking the agreement, the assignor can transfer the contract to another individual or entity.

For example, imagine a small residential trash collection service plans to close its operations. Before it closes, the business brokers a deal to send its accounts to a curbside pickup company providing similar services. After notifying account holders, the latter company continues the service while receiving payment.

Create a thorough assignment agreement by including the following information:

• Effective Date:  The document must indicate when the transfer of rights and obligations occurs.
• Parties:  Include the full name and address of the assignor, assignee, and obligor (if required).
• Assignment:  Provide details that identify the original contract being assigned.
• Third-Party Approval: If the initial contract requires the approval of the obligor, note the date the approval was received.
• Signatures:  Both parties must sign and date the printed assignment contract template once completed. If a notary is required, wait until you are in the presence of the official and present identification before signing. Failure to do so may result in having to redo the assignment contract.

Review the Contract Terms

Carefully review the terms of the existing contract. Some contracts may have specific provisions regarding assignment. Check for any restrictions or requirements related to assigning the contract.

Check for Anti-Assignment Clauses

Some contracts include anti-assignment clauses that prohibit or restrict the ability to assign the contract without the consent of the other party. If there’s such a clause, you may need the consent of the original parties to proceed.

Determine Assignability

Ensure that the contract is assignable. Some contracts, especially those involving personal services or unique skills, may not be assignable without the other party’s agreement.

Get Consent from the Other Party (if Required)

If the contract includes an anti-assignment clause or requires consent for assignment, seek written consent from the other party. This can often be done through a formal amendment to the contract.

Prepare an Assignment Agreement

Draft an assignment agreement that clearly outlines the transfer of rights and obligations from the assignor (the party assigning the contract) to the assignee (the party receiving the assignment). Include details such as the names of the parties, the effective date of the assignment, and the specific rights and obligations being transferred.

Include Original Contract Information

Attach a copy of the original contract or reference its key terms in the assignment agreement. This helps in clearly identifying the contract being assigned.

Execution of the Assignment Agreement

Both the assignor and assignee should sign the assignment agreement. Signatures should be notarized if required by the contract or local laws.

Notice to the Other Party

Provide notice of the assignment to the non-assigning party. This can be done formally through a letter or as specified in the contract.

File the Assignment

File the assignment agreement with the appropriate parties or entities as required. This may include filing with the original contracting party or relevant government authorities.

Communicate with Third Parties

Inform any relevant third parties, such as suppliers, customers, or service providers, about the assignment to ensure a smooth transition.

Keep Copies for Records

Keep copies of the assignment agreement, original contract, and any related communications for your records.

Here’s a list of steps on how to write an assignment agreement:

Step 1 – List the Assignor’s and Assignee’s Details

List all of the pertinent information regarding the parties involved in the transfer. This information includes their full names, addresses, phone numbers, and other relevant contact information.

This step clarifies who’s transferring the initial contract and who will take on its responsibilities.

Step 2 – Provide Original Contract Information

Describing and identifying the contract that is effectively being reassigned is essential. This step avoids any confusion after the transfer has been completed.

Step 3 – State the Consideration

Provide accurate information regarding the amount the assignee pays to assume the contract. This figure should include taxes and any relevant peripheral expenses. If the assignee will pay the consideration over a period, indicate the method and installments.

Step 4 – Provide Any Terms and Conditions

The terms and conditions of any agreement are crucial to a smooth transaction. You must cover issues such as dispute resolution, governing law, obligor approval, and any relevant clauses.

Step 5 – Obtain Signatures

Both parties must sign the agreement to ensure it is legally binding and that they have read and understood the contract. If a notary is required, wait to sign off in their presence.

Related Documents

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Assignment Agreement

Jump to section.

An assignment agreement is a contract that authorizes a person to transfer their rights, obligations, or interests in a contract or property to another person. It serves as a means for the assignor to delegate duties and advantages to a third party while the assignee assumes those privileges and obligations. This blog post will discuss assignment agreement, its purpose, essential elements, and implementation practices.

Key Functions of an Assignment Agreement

Below are some key functions of an assignment agreement.

• Facilitating Clear Transfer of Rights and Obligations: Assignment agreement plays a vital role in diverse industries and business transactions by facilitating a transparent transfer of rights and obligations between parties. These agreements encompass intellectual property rights, contractual duties, asset ownership, and other legal entitlements. By clearly defining the assignment's scope and nature, both parties can ensure a smooth transition without any uncertainties.
• Ensuring Protection of Interest: Another important objective of the assignment agreement is safeguarding the assignor and assignee's interests. These agreements provide a legal framework that protects the assignee's rights while relieving the assignor of responsibilities and liabilities associated with the assigned asset or contract. This protection ensures that neither party faces unexpected consequences or disputes during or after the assignment.
• Outlining Consensus on Terms and Conditions : Assignments often involve intricate terms and conditions, necessitating mutual understanding between the assignor and assignee. Assignment agreement serves as binding documents that outline the assignment's terms and conditions, including payment terms, timelines, performance expectations, and specific requirements. By reaching a consensus on these details, both parties can minimize potential conflicts and align their expectations.
• Complying with Legal Laws: Ensuring legal compliance and enforceability is an important objective of the assignment agreement. Also, it is prudent to create these documents according to the relevant rules, regulations, and industry requirements. By adhering to legal guidelines, the assignment agreement becomes a robust legal instrument that provides a solid foundation for potential legal action in case of breaches or disputes.
• Maintaining Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure: Many assignments involve confidential information, proprietary knowledge, or trade secrets that require protection. An objective of the assignment agreement is to establish clear guidelines regarding the confidentiality and non-disclosure of such information. These guidelines define the scope of confidential information, specify restrictions on its use or disclosure, and outline the consequences of any breaches. By ensuring clarity in these aspects, the agreement protects the interests of both parties and fosters a sense of trust .

Best Practices for Crafting an Assignment Agreement

Assignment agreements are vital in different business transactions, transferring rights and obligations from one person to another. Whether it's a merger, acquisition, or contract assignment, implementing an assignment agreement needs thorough consideration and adherence to best practices to ensure a seamless and lawfully sound process. Below are some key practices to follow when implementing an assignment agreement.

• Identifying the Parties Involved: The initial step in implementing an assignment agreement is to identify the parties participating in the assignment agreement. It is vital to accurately define the assignor, who will transfer the rights, and the assignee, who will receive them. The assignment agreement should include precise details of both parties' names and contact information.
• Defining the Scope and Extent of Assignment: It is imperative to define the assignment's scope and extent clearly to prevent potential disputes or ambiguity in the future. It specifies the rights, benefits, and obligations transferred from the assignor to the assignee. In addition, specific details such as intellectual property rights, contractual obligations, and any relevant limitations or conditions should be explicitly outlined.
• Reviewing and Understanding Existing Contracts or Agreements: Assignment agreements often transfer rights and obligations from preexisting contracts or agreements. It is essential to thoroughly review and comprehend these existing contracts to facilitate a seamless transfer. Identifying any provisions restricting or prohibiting assignment is important and should be addressed accordingly. Seeking legal advice is advisable to ensure compliance with contractual obligations.
• Obtaining Consent from Relevant Parties: In some cases, obtaining consent from third parties directly affected by the transfer of rights and obligations may be necessary. Also, it is important to identify these parties and obtain their consent in writing if required. Failure to get permission may lead to legal complications and a potential breach of contract .
• Crafting a Comprehensive Assignment Agreement: Upon collecting all relevant data, it is time to create a comprehensive assignment agreement. This agreement should utilize unambiguous language to define the rights and obligations transferred, specify the effective date of the assignment, and outline any other relevant terms and conditions. Engaging legal professionals specializing in contract law is highly recommended to ensure the agreement's legal validity and enforceability.
• Seeking Legal Advice and Performing Review: It is important to seek legal advice and conduct a thorough review before finalizing the assignment agreement. Experienced attorneys can provide valuable insights, identify potential risks, and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The legal review helps minimize the likelihood of errors or oversights that could result in future disputes or legal challenges.
• Executing and Recording the Assignment Agreement: Once the assignment agreement has been reviewed and approved, both parties should implement the document by signing it. Also, to enhance its enforceability, it is advisable to have the assignment agreement witnessed or notarized, depending on the jurisdiction's legal requirements. Additionally, maintaining a record of the executed contract is essential for future reference and as evidence of the assignment.
• Communicating the Assignment: Effective communication of the assignment to all relevant parties is important after executing the assignment agreement. Stakeholders, such as employees, clients, suppliers, and contractors, should be notified about the transfer of rights and obligations. It ensures a smooth transition and minimizes potential disruptions or misunderstandings.
• Documenting and Ensuring Compliance: Lastly, it is imperative to maintain proper documentation and ensure ongoing compliance with the assignment agreement's terms. Keeping copies of all relevant documents, including the assignment agreement, consent, and communications related to the assignment, is important. Regularly reviewing and monitoring compliance with the assignment agreement allows for prompt resolution of any issues and helps maintain a transparent and accountable process.

Key Terms for Assignment Agreements

• Assignor: The individual or entity that transfers their rights, responsibilities, or interests to another party using an assignment agreement. And by doing so, the assignor relinquishes any claims and duties associated with the assigned property, contract, or legal entitlements.
• Assignee: The individual or entity that receives the rights, interests, or obligations through an assignment agreement. The assignee assumes the transferred rights and responsibilities, essentially taking on the role of the assignor.
• Obligor: Refers to the party bound by a duty or obligation under a contractual or legal agreement. In an assignment agreement, the obligor is the party whose performance or obligations are assigned to the assignee.
• Assignable Rights: These are the specific rights or interests that can be transferred from the assignor to the assignee via an assignment agreement. These include intellectual property rights, contractual rights, real estate interests, royalties, and other lawful entitlements.
• Consideration: The value or benefit exchanged between the parties in an assignment agreement. Also, consideration is commonly paid in monetary payment, goods, services, or promises. It represents what each party gains or sacrifices as part of the assignment.
• Notice of Assignment: A formal written notification provided by the assignor to the obligor, serving as a communication of the assignment of rights, interests, or obligations to the assignee. This notice establishes the assignee's rights and enables the obligor to fulfill their duties to the correct party.

Final Thoughts on Assignment Agreements

In a nutshell, assignment agreement plays an important role in business transactions, allowing for transferring of rights, duties, and interests between parties. Moreover, by understanding these objectives and addressing them through well-drafted assignment agreement, businesses and individuals can engage in assignments with confidence and clarity. Also, since an assignment agreement includes several legal complexities, it is rational to consult a professional attorney who can guide you through the process.

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Meet some of our Assignment Agreement Lawyers

An entrepreneurial, results-oriented advocate, legal and compliance professional with a successful track record of providing strategic legal advice and operational support to high growth national companies. Well established expertise in commercial transactions, acquisitions, and compliance oversight and policy development, including specialized expertise in sales, marketing and advertising compliance.

My name is Elexius. I’ve been practicing since 2016. I began my career doing defense work for insurance companies. I handled worker’s compensation cases, insurance subrogation claims and a number of related employment issues including wage and hour disputes, resignation, termination and release of claims. I also handled employee contract matters and revised contracts as needed for my clients. In my current role I draft contracts and related agreements, including cease and desist, letters of understanding, and various notices. I also handle contractual interference issues.

I’m the Managing Attorney at The Coaxum Firm LLC, a small firm located in Alabama that handles Family Law, Criminal Defense, and Personal Injury cases. My law partner is my older brother, Louis Coaxum, and we’ve been practicing together as a firm for over 8 years.

Jerry has been practicing law in Hawaii for over twenty years which includes the areas of labor and employment.

I have practiced law for 20+ years. I am knowledgeable, skilled, and experienced in IP related matters; contract drafting and revisions; trial preparation (including ITC Section 337 trials); and many other legal areas. Further, I earned a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering and worked as a junior and primary patent examiner for over a decade. Furthermore, I have produced a feature film and set up and maintained the production office before, during, and after filming.

Kimm Massey, Esq. is a graduate of Harvard Law School, who has almost thirty years of experience practicing law. Her background includes litigation work for large multinational corporate law firms, the federal government, and the District of Columbia government. She founded Massey Law Group a decade ago. Attorney Kimm Massey has been admitted to the Bars of Washington DC, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Florida, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, the United States Court of Federal Claims, the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans’ Claims, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

Michelle M.

Ms. Marshall practices primarily in the areas of commercial and residential real estate, business/corporate, estate planning and tax. She spent the first 10 years of her career also practicing in civil litigation, collections and personal injury. Ms. Marshall concentrates her practice on the needs of individuals, entrepreneurs and small to medium sized businesses. During the course of her career Ms. Marshall has earned recognition as a Central Ohio Top Lawyer.

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Contract Assignment Agreement

Select the name of the state whose law will govern the interpretation of this contract and will be the location of any future disputes related to this contract. This is usually the state where at least one of the Parties resides or does business related to the contract. If this Agreement involves the transfer of land, this would be the state where the land is located.

CONTRACT ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT

State of Alabama

This Assigment Agreement (the "Agreement) is entered into by and between ________ (the "Assignor"), having their principal address located at ________ , and ________ (the "Assignee"), having their principal address located at ________ , both of whom agree to be bound by this Agreement, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, witnesseth:

WHEREAS , Assignor entered into a Contract, included as an attachment to this Agreement, with ________ (the "Obligor"), referred to hereinafter as "Contract with ________ ";

WHEREAS , the Contract with ________ has an original expiration date of ________ as may be extended as permitted therein;

WHEREAS , Assignor wishes to assign all of their rights and obligations under the Contract with ________ to Assignee; and

WHEREAS , the necessary verbal consent was obtained from the Obligor on ________ ;

NOW THEREFORE , Assignor and Assignee agree to the following:

I. Assignor and Assignee hereby agree that the Assignor shall assign all their rights, titles, and interests, and delegate all of their obligations, responsibilities, and duties, in ad to the Contract with ________ , to Assignee.

II. Assignee hereby accepts the assignment of all of Assignors obligations, responsibilities, and duties under the Contract and all of Assignors rights, titles, and interests in and to the Contract with ________ .

III. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Assignor agrees to defend and indemnify the Obligor from any and all claims,actions, judgments, liabilities, proceedings, and costs, including reasonable attorney's fees and other costs of defense and damages, resulting from Assignors performance prior to the assignment of the contract and resulting from Assignees performance after the assignment of the Contract with ________ , provided, however, that after the assignment of the Contract with ________ , the State shall first look to Assignee to satisfy all claims, actions, judgments, liabilities, proceedings, and costs, including reasonable attorneys fees and ot her costs of defense and damages resulting from Assignee's performance.

IV. Assignee agrees to indemnify the Obligor from any and all claims, actions, judgments, liabilities, proceedings, and costs, including reasonable attorney's fees, and other costs of defense and damages, resulting from Assignee's performance after the assignment of the Contract with ________ .

V. No modification of this Agreement shall be valid unless in writing and agreed upon by all relevant Parties.

VI. 52 252 28222 522 252888822 22 2588 825222222 88 5285 22 8285885, 8882258, 25 5222225825882 225 522 525822, 2522 252 2552828 52522 2552 8585 252888822 85588 82 522225 22 82 825582 525 252 522582525 22 252 825222222 85588 82 22225825 58 82 252 825582 252888822 8252 22825 82885525 82 252 825222222.

VII. This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of Alabama and both Parties expressly consent to jurisdiction in such courts.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties execute the Agreement as follows:

______________________________________________ ________

______________________________________________ Date

HOW TO CUSTOMIZE THE TEMPLATE

Answer the question, then click on "Next."

The document is written according to your responses - clauses are added or removed, paragraphs are customised, words are changed, etc.

At the end, you will immediately receive the document in Word and PDF formats. You can then open the Word document to modify it and reuse it however you wish.

Q&A: What’s the Deal with These “Short Form” Option Documents?

Q:  I was recently presented with an option agreement.  At the end of the agreement there are two more short agreements.  One is a “Short Form Option.”  The other is a “Short Form Assignment.”  Why am I signing two options?  And why would I agree to sign a short assignment agreement which says they own all the rights when they haven’t exercised the option yet?

A:  Option Agreements are like rap stars.  They usually travel with a posse, albeit their posses are much shorter than the posses accompanying rap stars.  Rap stars hang with posses for two purposes: they want protection and they want to put the world on notice that they’ve arrived.  The Short Form posses that hang with Option Agreements accomplish a similar goal:  they are used to protect the optioning party due to the fact that they put the world on notice.

We’ll start with the Short Form Option.  This little document generally states in clear and simple terms that the writer has granted an option to the optioning party.  It probably does not state the length of the option or any financial terms.  Instead, it likely only states that the terms of the option are more fully described in the underlying agreement.

The party optioning your work wants this document so that it can record it with the Copyright Office after you have entered into your agreement.  By recording the short form, it will put the world on notice that it has acquired some limited rights to your work.  This protects the optioning party if you are as shady as the Hamburglar and try to option your work to a different party during the option period.  If that “different” party is on the ball, it would first search online copyright records before optioning your work.  It would see that there is an existing option and would know to steer clear of optioning the script.

The Short Form Assignment performs basically the same function.  However, I can understand how it’s a little off-putting because it appears that you’re signing away all your rights when you think you’re only entering into an option agreement.  If you look closely at your agreement, there should be language referencing the Short Form Assignment and stating that the assignment does not take effect unless and until the purchase price is paid.  It should also state that it cannot be recorded until that time.  If your agreement does not state that, then you should only sign the Short Form Assignment if and when the option is exercised.

Again, if the option is exercised (making the optioning party the new owner of the script), that Short Form Assignment will be recorded with the Copyright Office.  In this case, it will tell the world that the optioning party, not you, now owns all rights in the script.  This is especially important if your script was already subject to a copyright registration because that registration would list you as the owner.  After the assignment is recorded, the world will know that the owner has changed.

There’s one last reason producers and other optioning parties want to record these documents.  If the project ends up with a studio or a production company that’s a guild signatory, the guilds will require that such transfer documents are recorded as part of their review and approval of the chain of title of the movie.

Now that you understand the reasoning behind these little documents, there’s no need to be afraid of them (I wish I could say the same about rappers’ posses).

This blog was originally published as part of Legal Ease, Film Independent’s weekly column on legal matters pertaining to the entertainment industry. To see other LEGAL EASE columns please  click here .

Related Posts

• Q&A: What’s the Difference Between a Screenplay Option and a Book Option?
• Q&A: Am I in Trouble if I’m Optioning a Book That Includes a Character That Has Already Been Optioned?

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Understanding an assignment and assumption agreement

Need to assign your rights and duties under a contract? Learn more about the basics of an assignment and assumption agreement.

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by   Belle Wong, J.D.

Belle Wong, is a freelance writer specializing in small business, personal finance, banking, and tech/SAAS. She ...

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Updated on: November 24, 2023 · 3min read

The assignment and assumption agreement

The basics of assignment and assumption, filling in the assignment and assumption agreement.

While every business should try its best to meet its contractual obligations, changes in circumstance can happen that could necessitate transferring your rights and duties under a contract to another party who would be better able to meet those obligations.

If you find yourself in such a situation, and your contract provides for the possibility of assignment, an assignment and assumption agreement can be a good option for preserving your relationship with the party you initially contracted with, while at the same time enabling you to pass on your contractual rights and duties to a third party.

An assignment and assumption agreement is used after a contract is signed, in order to transfer one of the contracting party's rights and obligations to a third party who was not originally a party to the contract. The party making the assignment is called the assignor, while the third party accepting the assignment is known as the assignee.

In order for an assignment and assumption agreement to be valid, the following criteria need to be met:

• The initial contract must provide for the possibility of assignment by one of the initial contracting parties.
• The assignor must agree to assign their rights and duties under the contract to the assignee.
• The assignee must agree to accept, or "assume," those contractual rights and duties.
• The other party to the initial contract must consent to the transfer of rights and obligations to the assignee.

A standard assignment and assumption contract is often a good starting point if you need to enter into an assignment and assumption agreement. However, for more complex situations, such as an assignment and amendment agreement in which several of the initial contract terms will be modified, or where only some, but not all, rights and duties will be assigned, it's a good idea to retain the services of an attorney who can help you draft an agreement that will meet all your needs.

When you're ready to enter into an assignment and assumption agreement, it's a good idea to have a firm grasp of the basics of assignment:

• First, carefully read and understand the assignment and assumption provision in the initial contract. Contracts vary widely in their language on this topic, and each contract will have specific criteria that must be met in order for a valid assignment of rights to take place.
• All parties to the agreement should carefully review the document to make sure they each know what they're agreeing to, and to help ensure that all important terms and conditions have been addressed in the agreement.
• Until the agreement is signed by all the parties involved, the assignor will still be obligated for all responsibilities stated in the initial contract. If you are the assignor, you need to ensure that you continue with business as usual until the assignment and assumption agreement has been properly executed.

Unless you're dealing with a complex assignment situation, working with a template often is a good way to begin drafting an assignment and assumption agreement that will meet your needs. Generally speaking, your agreement should include the following information:

• Identification of the existing agreement, including details such as the date it was signed and the parties involved, and the parties' rights to assign under this initial agreement
• The effective date of the assignment and assumption agreement
• Identification of the party making the assignment (the assignor), and a statement of their desire to assign their rights under the initial contract
• Identification of the third party accepting the assignment (the assignee), and a statement of their acceptance of the assignment
• Identification of the other initial party to the contract, and a statement of their consent to the assignment and assumption agreement
• A section stating that the initial contract is continued; meaning, that, other than the change to the parties involved, all terms and conditions in the original contract stay the same

In addition to these sections that are specific to an assignment and assumption agreement, your contract should also include standard contract language, such as clauses about indemnification, future amendments, and governing law.

Sometimes circumstances change, and as a business owner you may find yourself needing to assign your rights and duties under a contract to another party. A properly drafted assignment and assumption agreement can help you make the transfer smoothly while, at the same time, preserving the cordiality of your initial business relationship under the original contract.

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The IP Law Blog

The essential purpose of the short form copyright assignment.

17 U.S.C. § 205 deals with the recording of transfers of copyright ownership.  The Copyright Act does not require that transfers be recorded.  In order for a transfer of an interest in a copyright to be effective, it is enough that it is in writing and signed by parties.  So if the Copyright Act does not require that transfers of ownership by recorded, what is the benefit to doing it.

Similar to recording an initial copyright interest in a work, transfers are recorded in order to provide constructive notice of the transfer of ownership and to vest the new owner with the right to sue for infringement.  There is one other reason to record the transfer of copyright ownership and other documents pertaining to a copyright; addressing how to deal with conflicting transfers.

Some may assume that once the seller of a copyright interest transfers ownership that seller cannot sell the same interest a second time (or if the unscrupulous seller does so, the second buyer takes nothing).  That’s not always the case.  17 U.S.C. § 205(d) provides:

As between two conflicting transfers, the one executed first prevails if it is recorded, in the manner required to give constructive notice under [17 U.S.C. § 205(c)], within one month after its execution in the United States or within two months after its execution outside the United States, or at any time before recordation in such manner of the later transfer.  Otherwise the later transfer prevails if recorded first in such manner, and if taken in good faith, for valuable consideration or on the basis of a binding promise to pay royalties, and without notice of the earlier transfer.

In the scenario where the first buyer (or first exclusive licensee or first optionee) fails to record its interest prior to a second transfer (or grant of exclusive license or grant of option), a second transferee who took without notice, paid valuable consideration and recorded its transaction first, would have a superior interest in the subject work.  If, however, the subsequent transferee had notice (constructive, actual and possibly inquiry notice), then the subsequent transferee would not have a superior interest.  Similarly, the subsequent transferee would not have a superior interest if valuable consideration was not paid, or if the prior transferee recorded its transfer within the statutory grace period of one (or two) months from execution of the prior transfer.

My client was surprised to learn that if it did not record its option (in the form of a short form option), an unscrupulous rights holder could grant the same option to the same material a second time and divest my client of its rights under the option agreement.  While my client would certainly have a claim against the unscrupulous rights holder, the damages my client could potentially collect may be limited to its out of pocket costs and expenses related to the option; no recovery of any potential profits the client could have made from the exploitation of the program based on the literary material that was the subject of the option.

• Practical Law

Technology Assignment Agreement (Short Form; Startups)

Practical law standard document w-033-0562  (approx. 15 pages).

• Trade Marks
• United States

Patent Assignment Agreement (Short Form) | Practical Law

Patent Assignment Agreement (Short Form)

Practical law standard document 6-507-2833  (approx. 14 pages).