Maximize Your Brand Value: A Guide to Selling Your Trademark

You can find a buyer yourself or sell your trademark online.

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If you've built a successful business, one of the most valuable assets you have is your name. You can trademark your company's name as long as it has not been trademarked by someone else. Once you have trademarked your company's name, you can sell or transfer your trademark at any time. You will have to find a buyer and arrange a price yourself. Once you have a buyer, selling your trademark requires you to file paperwork with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Step 1

Identify potential customers. If your trademark name is part of a successful business, you might already have a customer in mind. When you sell your business, you will likely transfer the name also. You can also put your trademark up for sale on websites that specialize in selling or auctioning off trademarks, such as the U.S. Trademark Exchange. These sites will feature your trademark for a couple of months to a year, and will charge a flat fee. Your trademark name will be listed along with your asking price. Clients browse the list of names and will be put in touch with you directly if they want to buy your name. Payment is arranged between you and the client.

Step 2

Apply to transfer your trademark name to a new owner. You can apply to transfer your trademark online at the USPTO website. Go to the home page of the website and click on the Trademark Electronic Application System button under tools. On the TEAS page, select "Assignment Forms," which is listed ninth. This will take you to an online application to assign your trademark to someone else. You will fill out your name, the name and contact information of the person or company to whom you are transferring the application, your trademark registration number, and a short description of the trademark.

Step 3

Submit the application fee, which was $100 in 2012. You can pay by credit card, debit card or electronic funds transfer.

Warning

To sell a trademarked name, it must have actually appeared on goods or services. It you trademarked a name or logo with the intent to use it on a product, but never did, it is illegal to make someone else pay for the trademark.