Create a bespoke document in minutes, or upload and review your own.
Get your first 2 documents free
Your data doesn't train Genie's AI
You keep IP ownership of your information
Trademark Agreement
I need a trademark agreement to outline the terms of use and protection for a new brand logo, ensuring exclusive rights within Switzerland. The agreement should cover licensing terms, duration, and conditions for renewal or termination, with a focus on preventing unauthorized use and infringement.
What is a Trademark Agreement?
A Trademark Agreement lets business owners share, license, or transfer their trademark rights to others under specific terms. In Switzerland, these contracts follow federal trademark law (MSchG) and help companies protect their brands while safely allowing others to use them.
Swiss businesses commonly use these agreements for brand licensing, franchising, or when merging companies. The contract spells out key details like payment terms, quality standards, and geographic limits for trademark use. It also includes rules about defending the mark against infringement and maintaining its registration with the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property.
When should you use a Trademark Agreement?
Use a Trademark Agreement when expanding your brand's reach through partnerships in Switzerland. This includes launching franchise operations, licensing your trademark to manufacturers, or collaborating with distributors who need legal permission to use your protected marks.
The agreement becomes essential before allowing others to display your logo, brand name, or distinctive designs. Swiss companies often need these contracts when entering joint ventures, during mergers and acquisitions, or when monetizing their intellectual property through licensing deals. It provides clear guidelines for trademark use and helps prevent unauthorized brand exploitation while ensuring compliance with Swiss intellectual property laws.
What are the different types of Trademark Agreement?
- Basic License Agreement: Grants permission to use your trademark for specific products or services, with clear usage guidelines and royalty terms
- Coexistence Agreement: Allows similar trademarks to exist peacefully in different markets or industries within Switzerland, preventing future disputes
- Assignment Agreement: Transfers complete ownership of trademark rights to another party, common in business acquisitions
- Franchise Agreement: Combines trademark licensing with detailed operational requirements for franchisees using your brand
- Quality Control Agreement: Focuses on maintaining brand standards when letting others use your trademark, especially important under Swiss quality regulations
Who should typically use a Trademark Agreement?
- Brand Owners: Companies or individuals who own registered trademarks and want to protect or monetize their intellectual property rights in Switzerland
- Licensees: Businesses paying to use another company's trademark, like manufacturers, retailers, or franchise operators
- IP Attorneys: Swiss legal professionals who draft and review Trademark Agreements to ensure compliance with federal trademark laws
- Quality Control Teams: Staff responsible for monitoring trademark usage and maintaining brand standards
- Corporate Executives: Decision-makers who negotiate and sign these agreements during business partnerships or expansions
How do you write a Trademark Agreement?
- Trademark Details: Gather registration numbers, classes, and territory coverage from the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property
- Usage Parameters: Define exact products/services, geographic areas, and duration for trademark use
- Quality Standards: List specific requirements for maintaining brand integrity and Swiss quality expectations
- Financial Terms: Outline royalty rates, payment schedules, and reporting requirements
- Party Information: Collect legal names, addresses, and signing authority documentation
- Compliance Checks: Review Swiss competition laws and industry-specific regulations affecting trademark use
What should be included in a Trademark Agreement?
- Identification Section: Full details of the trademark owner, licensee, and registration numbers with the Swiss Federal Institute of IP
- Scope of Rights: Precise description of permitted trademark uses, territories, and duration
- Quality Control: Standards for maintaining brand integrity and inspection rights under Swiss law
- Financial Terms: Clear payment structures, royalty calculations, and reporting requirements
- Termination Clause: Conditions for ending the agreement and post-termination obligations
- Dispute Resolution: Swiss jurisdiction choice and arbitration procedures
- Governing Law: Explicit reference to Swiss trademark and contract laws
What's the difference between a Trademark Agreement and a Trademark License Agreement?
A Trademark Agreement differs significantly from a Trademark License Agreement in several key aspects, though they're often confused in Swiss business practice. The main distinction lies in their scope and purpose.
- Scope of Rights: Trademark Agreements cover broader aspects of trademark ownership, transfer, and management, while License Agreements focus specifically on permission to use the mark
- Duration and Flexibility: Trademark Agreements typically establish permanent or long-term arrangements, whereas License Agreements often have fixed terms with renewal options
- Control Provisions: Trademark Agreements include comprehensive ownership rights and strategic control, while License Agreements mainly outline usage parameters and quality standards
- Financial Structure: License Agreements emphasize royalty payments and usage fees, whereas Trademark Agreements might involve one-time transfers or complex ownership arrangements
Download our whitepaper on the future of AI in Legal
ұԾ’s Security Promise
Genie is the safest place to draft. Here’s how we prioritise your privacy and security.
Your documents are private:
We do not train on your data; ұԾ’s AI improves independently
All data stored on Genie is private to your organisation
Your documents are protected:
Your documents are protected by ultra-secure 256-bit encryption
Our bank-grade security infrastructure undergoes regular external audits
We are ISO27001 certified, so your data is secure
Organizational security
You retain IP ownership of your documents
You have full control over your data and who gets to see it
Innovation in privacy:
Genie partnered with the Computational Privacy Department at Imperial College London
Together, we ran a £1 million research project on privacy and anonymity in legal contracts
Want to know more?
Visit our for more details and real-time security updates.
Read our Privacy Policy.