This assignment of copyright template can be used whenever a company or a person wants to sell or transfer the intellectual property rights in copyright to another person or business.
If you only intend to licence the copyright and not assign the ownership of the copyright, then check out our Copyright Licence.
What are the key benefits of an assignment of copyright template?
Effectively assign copyright: Assignments effectively transfer the ownership of the copyright in a particular work (or multiple works) from the previous owner to the new copyright owner. The assignment leaves the original owner with no further rights in relation to the copyright.
Protect both parties: An assignment of copyright template contains legal terms that aim to protect both parties. This copyright assignment template also includes pro-assignor or pro-assignee terms which, depending on the party that you select you are, will give you the option to include terms that are more favourable for you as the copyright assignor or assignee.
Record the assignment of copyright: There isn't a register of copyright works in the UK. Unless a contract says otherwise, the author of an original literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work will automatically get copyright protection once the work has been created. A well-drafted assignment of copyright template will ensure the assignment of the copyright has been written and recorded properly to prevent future disputes about who owns the copyright.
How to assign copyright
Copyright protects your work: While it’s not possible to register copyright in the UK, copyright protection in fact arises automatically from the creation of an original work. Examples might include literary, artistic, film, or musical works. Copyright is also the intellectual property right that protects the source code of software (this is considered to be a literary work). Leveraging this copyright can be a particularly useful asset, and calls for an assignment of copyright deed.
Assignment of rights: This assignment of copyright template allows one organisation to assign its intellectual property rights in copyright to another. It is wide enough to cover any copyright created, as well as any database rights, and provides for a waiver of moral rights.
Keeping it confidential
In these circumstances, the parties should also consider accompanying this document with a non-disclosure agreement, which you can find as part of the many template documents Docue provides. By signing this contract, any confidential information that is shared between the parties must be kept a secret.
Other types of IP assignment template
This assignment of copyright (deed) template should only be used if the parties will only be assigning copyright. If you are looking for a template to assign trade marks, our assignment of trade marks (deed) template will be suitable. Alternatively, if you intend to assign the IP rights in a patent, then you can find our template for this here.
What are the key terms that an assignment of copyright should include?
Key terms: This assignment of copyright template includes the following key provisions:
- Key details relating to the copyright;
- Assignment;
- Moral rights (this type of IP right cannot be assigned, only waived);
- Warranties;
- Price and payment (if applicable);
- Indemnity; and
- Law and jurisdiction.
This document is an assignment of copyright under English law.
Why use Docue?
Lawyer-quality templates At Docue, we’re committed to continuously improving our 80+ customisable templates. UK lawyers have developed and constantly maintain each legal document in Docue’s template bank.
Easiest way to draft: Docue’s platform allows you to access and customise a lawyer-made copyright assignment template at the click of a button. With Docue’s ultra-modern contract drafting technology, you can complete the document and send it for signature in minutes. The assignment of copyright template includes guidance prepared by our lawyers that supports you through the drafting process.
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