Publication date: 06.06.2025
Experienced Law Specialist with a demonstrated history of working in the law practice industry. Skilled in International Law and Joint Ventures. Strong legal professional with a Bachelor of Laws focused in Jurisprudence from Yaroslav Mudriy National Law Academy of Ukraine. Specializations: Copyright Law • Entertainment Law • Intellectual Property Law • Legal Consulting • Startup Law • Business Law • Trademark Law
Transfer of Rights to a Registered Design in the UK: Legal Support for Filing via Form DF12A
When it comes to the transfer of intellectual property rights, it's important not only to sign an agreement but also to legally register the change of ownership in the official register. In this case, intellectual property attorney Olena Yaremchuk provided full legal support for the procedure of transferring rights to a registered industrial design in the United Kingdom from one partner to another. Since it involved an officially registered object with the UK IPO, the key document was Form DF12A. Timely and accurate filing allowed the new ownership structure to be formalized without risk of third-party challenge.
Case Context
A Ukrainian creative industry company owned a registered UK design for the packaging of its product. Due to restructuring, it was decided to transfer part of the assets to a partner firm responsible for local promotion. The transfer of rights required not only an agreement between the parties but also an official record of the change in the UK IPO register. The client was unsure which form to use, how to complete it, and what evidence to include. Legal support was provided at these stages.
Stages of Legal Support
1. Documentation Review and Preparation of Transfer Basis
- Verification of the registered design number in the UK IPO database
- Legal structuring of the agreement between the parties as the basis for transfer
- Clarification of the requirements for supporting documents for the UK IPO
2. Completing and Submitting Form DF12A
- Completion of the official UK IPO form — Form DF12A (Application to record a change of ownership)
- Entering details of the current and new owner, addresses, type of transfer, and transfer date
- Adding evidence of transfer — copy of the agreement or notarized letter
- Submitting the document package to the UK IPO via the online system or by mail
3. Monitoring, Confirmation, and Register Update
- Monitoring the submission status in the UK IPO system
- Receiving official confirmation of the update
- Verifying the updated information in the public Designs Journal
Additional Legal Actions
- Preparation of a sample transfer agreement template for similar cases
- Consultation on how the change of ownership affects commercial contracts
- Recommendations for updating license agreements
Advantages of Professional Support
- Avoiding errors in completing Form DF12A, which could lead to rejection
- Fast processing of changes — without delays or registrar queries
- A ready document package that can be reused for future designs
Result
- Ownership change officially registered in the UK IPO database
- The new owner obtained all rights for use, licensing, and enforcement
- The partnership between companies was formalized in the public register
Proof of completion of Form DF12A
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Frequently Asked Questions
Question
Is it mandatory to submit Form DF12A in case of rights transfer?
Answer
Yes. Transfer of rights to a registered design is not considered complete in the UK unless Form DF12A is submitted to the register.
Question
Where can I find the official DF12A form?
Answer
The form is available on the UK IPO website: gov.uk under the "Designs forms" section.
This case demonstrates that a change of ownership of intellectual property is not just an agreement between parties, but a complex legal action requiring proper registration with the relevant authority. Thanks to the attorney’s support, not only were the rights transferred, but the change was officially recorded in the UK IPO database, ensuring the protection of the new owner and transparency of the legal status.
