161. What Happens to Trademark Ownership After Death

Own Your Genius with LaConya Murray

In this episode of the Own Your Genius podcast, Attorney LaConya Murray discusses how trademarks are managed after the death of an owner, inspired by the recent passing of One Direction member Liam Payne. She explains the importance of properly structuring trademark ownership, whether you own it individually, through a partnership, or a business entity, and emphasizes the need for proactive estate planning to ensure the protection of your intellectual property.

Here are three important takeaways:

1. Partnership agreements and business governing documents are crucial in determining what happens to trademarks after an owner’s death.
2. Including your trademarks in your will can prevent confusion and disputes among heirs.
3. Passing on trademarks to someone who doesn’t continue to use them will render them worthless, as trademarks must be actively maintained.

Tune in to Own Your Genius Podcast Episode 161: What Happens to Your Trademarks When You Die? Want to join the conversation? Head over to the MARKEDlegal community to chime in!