The short answer
Several people can apply jointly. That does not automatically create a workable agreement about use, costs or a later departure. First assess whether personal joint ownership or ownership by an existing company suits the project. The register details should accurately reflect that decision.
A joint registration needs joint organisation
Under the IPI's guidelines, several applicants generally hold co-ownership. Without a common representative, they must act together before the IPI. One person technically submitting the application or paying for it does not automatically give that person sole authority to dispose of the trademark.
Record every intended owner with accurate details. Decide who receives official letters and circulates them internally. A shared inbox does not replace clear authority to represent the owners. Check particularly whether transfer to the operating company is already intended once it has been incorporated.
Discuss use and departure before a disagreement
Record who may use the trademark for which offerings, how expenses are shared and how licensing decisions are made. Address new products and foreign markets too. These business rules do not arise merely because several names are listed together in the trademark register.
Consider someone leaving, wishing to sell their share or becoming unavailable. A suitable agreement should address decision-making, valuation and necessary cooperation. Do not confuse permission to use the mark with a change in ownership. Trademark assignment generally requires a written agreement.
Sources: Fedlex: Trade Mark Protection Act, assignment and licensing
Protect representation and deadlines during disagreement
A common representative makes contact with the IPI easier. The engagement should still establish who instructs them and how conflicting requests are handled. Official correspondence does not resolve internal disagreements. Plan a method through which important decisions can be reached in sufficient time.
Keep the agreement, powers of attorney and register documents somewhere accessible. A change of ownership requires preparation of the appropriate register update. Assign monitoring and renewal deadlines to a person with a deputy so that personal conflict does not also cause missed official steps.
Sources: IPI: 2026 Guidelines, multiple applicants · IPI: Register changes
What you can do now
- Identify every intended owner and the preferred ownership structure.
- Agree use, costs, departure and decisions in writing.
- Arrange common representation and backup for deadlines.
Frequently asked questions
Can just one founder bind everyone in the procedure?
Where there are several owners, representation must be clarified. Without a common representative, the parties generally have to act jointly before the IPI.
Does the trademark automatically become a company asset after incorporation?
A personally held trademark does not pass to the company merely through incorporation. Assess any required assignment and its documentation separately.
Sources: Fedlex: Trade Mark Protection Act, assignment and licensing