{"id":53,"date":"2026-03-14T12:36:48","date_gmt":"2026-03-14T03:36:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/?p=53"},"modified":"2026-11-02T16:35:37","modified_gmt":"2026-11-02T07:35:37","slug":"japan_trademark_assignment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/japan_trademark_assignment\/","title":{"rendered":"Buying or Selling a Japanese Trademark: Assignment Procedure, Documents and Costs"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">&#8220;We want to buy a Japanese trademark registration from another company.&#8221; &#8220;Our group is restructuring \u2014 how do we move our Japanese trademarks to the new entity?&#8221; &#8220;Is signing a contract enough?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Japanese trademarks are bought and sold more often than many people think \u2014 for example, when an overseas brand owner finds that a Japanese company already holds the mark, or when a seller on Amazon Japan wants to acquire a registration to secure its brand. In this article, Japanese Patent Attorney Toru Kano of BrandAgent explains how a trademark assignment works in Japan, what documents are needed and what it costs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">*Official figures as of October 2026.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"st-mybox st-mybox-class\" style=\"margin: 18px 0; padding: 16px; border: 2px solid #e5e7eb; border-radius: 10px; background: #fafafa;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>What you will learn<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul style=\"margin: 10px 0 0 18px;\">\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">What a trademark assignment is, and why a contract alone is not enough<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The JPO recordal procedure and timeline<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Required documents and registration tax<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Transferring a pending application, and Madrid registrations<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">What a buyer should check before paying<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">What is a trademark assignment?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-3096\" src=\"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/space-3262811_1280-1024x640.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"920\" height=\"575\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">A Japanese trademark right is property, and it can be sold, transferred or inherited. Japanese law distinguishes two kinds of transfer:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Specific succession<\/strong> \u2014 a transfer by agreement, such as a sale or a gift between companies. This is the usual case.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>General succession<\/strong> \u2014 a transfer by inheritance or corporate merger, where the right passes together with the whole estate or business.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The transfer does not have to cover all designated goods\/services: a registration can also be transferred for only part of its goods\/services.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Why a contract alone is not enough<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-3097\" src=\"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/to-register-257986_1280-1024x662.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"920\" height=\"662\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">This is the most important point. In Japan, a transfer of a trademark right by agreement <strong>takes legal effect only when it is recorded in the JPO trademark register<\/strong>. Even if the purchase agreement is signed and the price is paid, the seller remains the legal owner until the transfer is recorded.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"st-mybox  has-title st-mybox-class\" style=\"background:#ffebee;border-color:#ef9a9a;border-width:2px;border-radius:5px;margin: 25px 0 25px 0;\"><p class=\"st-mybox-title\" style=\"color:#ef5350;font-weight:bold;text-shadow: #fff 3px 0px 0px, #fff 2.83487px 0.981584px 0px, #fff 2.35766px 1.85511px 0px, #fff 1.62091px 2.52441px 0px, #fff 0.705713px 2.91581px 0px, #fff -0.287171px 2.98622px 0px, #fff -1.24844px 2.72789px 0px, #fff -2.07227px 2.16926px 0px, #fff -2.66798px 1.37182px 0px, #fff -2.96998px 0.42336px 0px, #fff -2.94502px -0.571704px 0px, #fff -2.59586px -1.50383px 0px, #fff -1.96093px -2.27041px 0px, #fff -1.11013px -2.78704px 0px, #fff -0.137119px -2.99686px 0px, #fff 0.850987px -2.87677px 0px, #fff 1.74541px -2.43999px 0px, #fff 2.44769px -1.73459px 0px, #fff 2.88051px -0.838246px 0px;\"><i class=\"fa fa-check-circle st-css-no\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>Risks of not recording<\/p><div class=\"st-in-mybox\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">You cannot enforce the trademark (for example, file an Amazon Japan or Rakuten complaint, or send a warning letter) in your own name.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Renewal notices and JPO correspondence still go to the seller.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">If the seller goes bankrupt or disappears, completing the transfer becomes much harder.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">General succession (inheritance or merger) takes effect without recordal, but it should still be reported to the JPO promptly so that the register shows the correct owner.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The recordal procedure<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-3098\" src=\"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/audit-3929140_1920-1-1024x594.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"920\" height=\"594\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>1. Check the registration:<\/strong> owner name and address, registration number, designated goods\/services and expiry date.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>2. Prepare the documents:<\/strong> request for recordal of transfer, deed of assignment and Powers of Attorney.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>3. Sign:<\/strong> the assignor signs the deed of assignment; each party signs a Power of Attorney.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>4. File with the JPO:<\/strong> your Japanese patent attorney files the request and pays the registration tax.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>5. Recordal:<\/strong> if there are no defects, the transfer is usually recorded about 15 business days after filing, and the J-PlatPat database is normally updated shortly after.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">A party without an address or office in Japan must file through a representative in Japan. If the assignor and assignee are both overseas, a Japanese patent attorney can act for both.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Required documents<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-3099\" src=\"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/rockets-4528194_1280-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"920\" height=\"518\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"st-mybox  has-title st-mybox-class\" style=\"background:#f1f8e9;border-color:#a5d6a7;border-width:2px;border-radius:5px;margin: 25px 0 25px 0;\"><p class=\"st-mybox-title\" style=\"color:#4caf50;font-weight:bold;text-shadow: #fff 3px 0px 0px, #fff 2.83487px 0.981584px 0px, #fff 2.35766px 1.85511px 0px, #fff 1.62091px 2.52441px 0px, #fff 0.705713px 2.91581px 0px, #fff -0.287171px 2.98622px 0px, #fff -1.24844px 2.72789px 0px, #fff -2.07227px 2.16926px 0px, #fff -2.66798px 1.37182px 0px, #fff -2.96998px 0.42336px 0px, #fff -2.94502px -0.571704px 0px, #fff -2.59586px -1.50383px 0px, #fff -1.96093px -2.27041px 0px, #fff -1.11013px -2.78704px 0px, #fff -0.137119px -2.99686px 0px, #fff 0.850987px -2.87677px 0px, #fff 1.74541px -2.43999px 0px, #fff 2.44769px -1.73459px 0px, #fff 2.88051px -0.838246px 0px;\"><i class=\"fa fa-check-circle st-css-no\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>Documents for a transfer by agreement<\/p><div class=\"st-in-mybox\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Request for recordal of transfer (prepared by us)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Deed of assignment, signed by the assignor (prepared by us)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Powers of Attorney from the assignor and the assignee (prepared by us)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Payment of the registration tax<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">A company seal is no longer required; a signature by the company&#8217;s representative is accepted. Please give us the names and addresses of both parties in the original language and in English, exactly as they appear on the register and in company records. If the assignor&#8217;s name or address on the register is out of date, a change of name\/address must be recorded first or at the same time.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Registration tax and payment<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-3100\" src=\"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/financial-4560047_1280-1-1024x660.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"920\" height=\"592\" \/><\/p>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\" border=\"1\">\n<thead>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #f5f5f5;\">\n<th style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Type of transfer<\/span><\/th>\n<th style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Official cost (JPY)<\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Transfer by agreement (sale, gift, etc.) \u2014 registration tax<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">30,000 per registration<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Inheritance or merger \u2014 registration tax<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">3,000 per registration<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Pending application \u2014 notification of change of applicant (official fee)<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">4,200 per application<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The registration tax is charged per registration, not per class. When several registrations move from the same assignor to the same assignee, they can be filed together, but the tax is still due for each one. Our attorney fee is quoted separately \u2014 please contact us for a quote. Payment to BrandAgent is accepted by PayPal (in JPY) or bank transfer.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">If the JPO finds a defect<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">If the request is incomplete \u2014 for example, the names do not match the register or a signature is missing \u2014 the JPO issues an order to amend (or, for defects that cannot be fixed, a notice of reasons for dismissal) with a time limit. A proper amendment keeps the original filing date of the request. Name and address mismatches are the most common cause, which is why we check the register and the parties&#8217; details carefully before filing.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Transferring a pending application<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">A trademark application that has not yet been registered can also be transferred. In this case, a <strong>notification of change of applicant<\/strong> is filed instead of a recordal request, with an official fee of JPY 4,200. The transfer takes effect only when this notification is filed, so it should be done promptly \u2014 ideally before the registration fee is paid, so that the registration is issued in the buyer&#8217;s name.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Madrid registrations designating Japan<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">If the Japanese right comes from an international registration under the Madrid System, the change of ownership is recorded through WIPO&#8217;s International Register, not by a recordal request to the JPO. The new owner must also be eligible to hold an international registration. Tell us the international registration number and we will advise on the correct route.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Practical checks before you buy<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/trademark-scaled-1-1024x512.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"920\" height=\"460\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Is the right still in force?<\/strong> Check the expiry date and whether the next renewal (or 5-year installment) is due soon.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Does it cover your goods?<\/strong> Confirm the designated goods\/services match what you sell.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Has it been used?<\/strong> A mark not used in Japan for 3+ consecutive years is open to a non-use cancellation trial. Ask the seller for evidence of use.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Licenses and disputes:<\/strong> ask whether any licenses, oppositions, trials or lawsuits exist.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Similar marks held by the seller:<\/strong> if the seller keeps a similar mark for similar goods, the brands may later conflict. Consider acquiring them together.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Payment timing:<\/strong> for buyers, it is safer to link payment to signing of the recordal documents.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">FAQ<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. Can a Japanese trademark be sold to an overseas company?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. Yes. Foreign companies and individuals can own Japanese trademarks. The recordal is filed through a Japanese patent attorney.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. Is a signed purchase agreement enough?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. No. A transfer by agreement takes effect only when it is recorded at the JPO.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. How long does it take?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. If there are no defects, the transfer is usually recorded about 15 business days after filing.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. Can a pending application be transferred?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. Yes, by filing a notification of change of applicant (official fee JPY 4,200).<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. What is the registration tax?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. JPY 30,000 per registration for a transfer by agreement, and JPY 3,000 per registration for inheritance or merger.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Summary<\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"st-mybox  has-title st-mybox-class\" style=\"background:#f1f8e9;border-color:#a5d6a7;border-width:2px;border-radius:5px;margin: 25px 0 25px 0;\"><p class=\"st-mybox-title\" style=\"color:#4caf50;font-weight:bold;text-shadow: #fff 3px 0px 0px, #fff 2.83487px 0.981584px 0px, #fff 2.35766px 1.85511px 0px, #fff 1.62091px 2.52441px 0px, #fff 0.705713px 2.91581px 0px, #fff -0.287171px 2.98622px 0px, #fff -1.24844px 2.72789px 0px, #fff -2.07227px 2.16926px 0px, #fff -2.66798px 1.37182px 0px, #fff -2.96998px 0.42336px 0px, #fff -2.94502px -0.571704px 0px, #fff -2.59586px -1.50383px 0px, #fff -1.96093px -2.27041px 0px, #fff -1.11013px -2.78704px 0px, #fff -0.137119px -2.99686px 0px, #fff 0.850987px -2.87677px 0px, #fff 1.74541px -2.43999px 0px, #fff 2.44769px -1.73459px 0px, #fff 2.88051px -0.838246px 0px;\"><i class=\"fa fa-check-circle st-css-no\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>Key points<\/p><div class=\"st-in-mybox\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">A transfer by agreement takes effect only when recorded at the JPO \u2014 a contract alone is not enough.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Documents: recordal request, deed of assignment, and Powers of Attorney from both parties.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Registration tax: JPY 30,000 per registration (JPY 3,000 for inheritance\/merger).<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Pending applications: notification of change of applicant (JPY 4,200). Madrid registrations: recorded via WIPO.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Before buying, check validity, goods, use, licenses and similar marks.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<h2 id=\"related-articles\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Related articles<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/japan-trademark-applicant-change\/\">Changing the Applicant of a Pending Japanese Trademark Application: Process and Documents<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/japan_trademark_renewal\/\">Japanese Trademark Renewal: Deadlines, Official Fees and Procedure for Foreign Owners<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/japan-trademark-oem-manufacturing\/\">OEM Manufacturing and Japanese Trademarks: Who Should Own Your Brand in Japan?<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/japan-trademark-rights\/\">What Is a Trademark Right in Japan? When It Arises, Scope, Duration and Infringement<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f0f7ff; border: 2px solid #0066cc; padding: 20px; margin: 24px 0; border-radius: 6px;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Buying or selling a Japanese trademark?<\/strong><br \/>\nSend us the registration or application number \u2014 we will check the register and reply with the documents needed and a quote, free of charge.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">BrandAgent Patent Office (Kyoto, Japan)<br \/>\nToru Kano, Japanese Patent Attorney<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a style=\"color: #0066cc; font-weight: bold;\" href=\"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en\/trademark_lp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Get a free quote for your Japanese trademark<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How to transfer a Japanese trademark registration or pending application between companies, including overseas buyers and sellers: why a contract is not enough, the JPO recordal procedure, required documents, registration tax and practical checks.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":351,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-53","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-trademark"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=53"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":223,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53\/revisions\/223"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/351"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=53"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=53"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=53"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}