[E-trademarks] Proving that a corp. converted from an LLC owns trademarks registered by the LLC

[Kevin Grierson]

Hi Jessica,

You can file entity conversion documents that don’t name trademarks, listing the trademark properties the entity owns, then file the assignment.  I’ve done it several times.

kwg

Kevin Grierson​​​​

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From: E-trademarks <e-trademarks-bounces at oppedahl-lists.com> On Behalf Of Jessica R. Friedman via E-trademarks
Sent: Wednesday, February 19, 2025 4:18 PM
To: For trademark practitioners. This is not for laypersons to seek legal advice. <e-trademarks at oppedahl-lists.com>
Cc: Jessica R. Friedman <jrfriedman at litproplaw.com>
Subject: [E-trademarks] Proving that a corp. converted from an LLC owns trademarks registered by the LLC

EXTERNAL EMAIL
This follows my earlier email about a company that converted from XYZ LLC to XYZ ABC Corp., and then assigned its trademarks to a new client of mine, who wants to record that assignment in the PTO.

My problem is that XYZ ABC Corp, the putative assignor, is not listed as the registrant and I have nothing to show how XYZ ABC Corp. became the owner of the trademarks other than a conversion document that doesn’t even mention trademarks or any assignment of assets, let alone goodwill, since, apparently, when you do a statutory conversion, no such assignment is required. (The company can even keep its old EIN.)

Is there any chance of the PTO’s accepting a conversion plan as a de facto assignment of trademarks from XYC LLC to XYZ ABC Corp., when the conversion plan says nothing at all about an assignment of assets? Or any chance of their being persuaded that no such assignment is necessary?

Jessica R. Friedman
Attorney at Law
300 East 59 Street, Ste. 2406
New York, NY 10022
Phone: 212-220-0900
Cell: 917-647-1884
E-mail: jrfriedman at litproplaw.com<mailto:jrfriedman at litproplaw.com>
URL: www.literarypropertylaw.com<http://www.literarypropertylaw.com/>

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