Trademark Assignment and Transmission in Kenya

• Trademark registration
• Business setup
• Company registration

Trademark Assignment in Kenya: Cost, Requirements and TM14 Procedure

Last updated: 21 May 2026 | Information source: Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI), Trade Marks Act, KIPI trademark forms and KIPI trade mark fee schedule checked on 21 May 2026.

Trademark assignment in Kenya is the process of transferring ownership of a registered trademark or trademark rights from one party to another and recording that transfer with the Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI). Transmission of a trademark covers transfer by operation of law, for example through succession, merger, liquidation, court order or other legal transfer.

Trademark Assignment Cost in Kenya

The cost of assigning or transmitting a trademark in Kenya depends on the number of trademarks, number of classes, whether the parties are local or foreign, whether one deed covers all marks, whether stamp duty or notarization is required, and whether KIPI raises title or register queries.

Important: Official KIPI fees can change. Always confirm the latest KIPI fee schedule or portal invoice before payment. Professional fees, stamp duty, notarization, courier, legalization, opposition, dispute work and rectification of old register details are separate.

Professional service fee guide

For Kenyan assignor/assignee recordal work, our professional fee is normally calculated per trademark application, depending on the number of marks, number of classes, deed structure, registry follow-up and urgency.

Requirements for Trademark Assignment or transmission in Kenya

A clean assignment recordal depends on proving title clearly. KIPI must be able to connect the registered trademark owner on the register to the party transferring the rights and then to the party becoming entitled to the trademark.

Core documents for assignment

• Deed of Assignment signed by the assignor and assignee.
• TM14 — Request to Register Assignment or Transmission.
• Trademark schedule showing mark names, registration numbers, classes and goods/services.
• Details of the current proprietor/assignor as reflected on the KIPI register.
• Details of the assignee/new proprietor, including legal name, address and registration details.
• Certificate of incorporation or business registration documents for companies, where required.
• Power of Attorney, TM1 or appointment of agent, where an agent files the matter.
• Proof of official fee payment and supporting filing acknowledgements.

Additional documents for transmission

• Merger, acquisition or restructuring documents where transfer arises from corporate restructuring.
• Grant of probate, letters of administration or succession documents where transfer arises from death.
• Court order, liquidation documents or statutory transfer documents where transfer arises by operation of law.
• Board resolutions or authority documents where corporate approval needs to be demonstrated.
• Certified translations where supporting documents are not in English.
• Legalization, notarization or consular certification where foreign documents must be relied upon in Kenya.

Information to confirm before filing

• Whether the trademark is registered, pending, expired, removed or under dispute.
• Whether the assignment covers all goods/services or only selected goods/services.
• Whether the transfer covers one class or multiple classes.
• Whether there are registered users, licences, securities, encumbrances or third-party rights.
• Whether the current registered owner’s name/address matches the deed and company records.

How to Record Trademark Assignment in Kenya

The practical workflow is to confirm the trademark record, prepare the transfer instrument, execute and stamp the deed where applicable, file TM14 with supporting documents, respond to KIPI queries and obtain confirmation that the register has been updated.

1. Confirm the trademark record. Check the trademark number, class, registered proprietor, current status, renewal status and whether the trademark details match the proposed transfer documents.
2. Confirm the correct transaction type. Determine whether the matter is an assignment, transmission, change of name, merger, licensing/registered user entry or rectification of register details.
3. Prepare or review the Deed of Assignment. The deed should identify the assignor, assignee, consideration, trademark schedule, transfer scope, effective date, warranties and signing authority.
4. Complete execution and stamping steps. Ensure the deed is properly signed and complete any stamp duty, notarization, legalization or certification steps required for the transaction.
5. Prepare TM14. Complete the KIPI request to register assignment or transmission using the correct mark number, class, proprietor and assignee details.
6. Prepare agent authority. Where the matter is filed through an agent, prepare TM1, Power of Attorney or other authority document as required.
7. File with KIPI and pay official fees. Submit TM14, deed/evidence of transmission, trademark schedule and supporting documents, then keep payment receipts and filing references.
8. Respond to KIPI queries. KIPI may ask for clarification on title, signatures, company names, register details, missing documents, classes or authority.
9. Obtain recordal confirmation. Once accepted, obtain the updated record, endorsement, certificate or confirmation showing the new proprietor.
10. Update portfolio records. Update internal IP schedules, licence agreements, distribution contracts, franchise documents, customs/anti-counterfeit records and renewal reminders.

Trademark Assignment Timeline in Kenya

KIPI recordal timelines vary by completeness of documents, number of trademarks, old registry records, stamp duty issues and registry workload. Straightforward matters can be planned in weeks, while bulk assignments, old marks, mismatched proprietor names or transmission files can take longer.

Assignment vs Transmission vs Licensing

Many trademark recordal delays arise because the parties use the wrong filing route. A transfer of ownership is different from a change of name, change of address or licence/registered user entry.

Assignment Between Kenyan and Foreign Parties

Trademark assignment in Kenya may involve Kenyan companies, foreign companies, individuals, distributors, franchise owners, manufacturers, importers or group companies. The correct fee treatment and document formalities depend on the parties and the filing route.

Where both parties are Kenyan entities

Where both the assignor and assignee are Kenyan-registered entities with established operations in Kenya, local KIPI fee rates may apply. The parties should still ensure the deed properly identifies the trademarks, the registered owner details match the KIPI register, and the assignee’s company details are accurate.

Where one party is foreign

Where a foreign party is involved, additional checks may be required, including foreign company authority, notarization, legalization, certified translations, foreign fee treatment, local agent appointment and address for service in Kenya.

Common Mistakes in Trademark Assignments

• Using a deed that does not list the trademark numbers, classes or goods/services clearly.
• Filing TM14 before confirming the current owner on the KIPI register.
• Confusing assignment with change of name, change of address or licensing.
• Failing to resolve renewal, expiry or removal issues before recordal.
• Using company names in the deed that do not match registry documents.
• Ignoring stamp duty, notarization, legalization or execution formalities.
• Failing to disclose existing licences, registered users, charges or restrictions.
• Transferring only part of a portfolio but using broad language that creates ambiguity.
• Failing to update distribution, franchise, importer or brand-use contracts after assignment.

What You Receive After Filing

For a properly instructed trademark assignment or transmission matter, the usual client deliverables include filing records and final confirmation documents issued or accepted by the registry.

• Reviewed trademark schedule and filing plan.
• Drafted or reviewed Deed of Assignment, where instructed.
• Copies of TM14 and agent authority documents prepared for filing.
• Official KIPI/eCitizen payment receipts or filing acknowledgements where generated.
• Registry reference numbers and update reports.
• Final KIPI recordal confirmation, updated extract, endorsement or certificate where issued.
• Courier/AWB details where original or certified documents must be dispatched physically.

How BIEA Helps With Trademark Assignment in Kenya

Business & Immigration East Africa assists local and foreign brand owners, distributors, manufacturers, investors and professional agents with trademark assignment, transmission and portfolio recordal at KIPI.

FAQs: Trademark Assignment and Transmission in Kenya

How much does trademark assignment cost in Kenya?

The official KIPI TM14 fee is KES 3,000 for the first class and KES 2,000 for each subsequent class for local applicants. The foreign fee is USD 150 for the first class and USD 100 for each subsequent class. Agent, professional, deed, stamp duty, notarization and courier fees are separate.

What form is used to assign a trademark in Kenya?

The main form is TM14 — Request to Register Assignment or Transmission. Where an agent is appointed, TM1 or another authority document may also be required.

What documents are required for trademark assignment?

Typical documents include the Deed of Assignment, TM14, trademark schedule, registration numbers, class details, assignor and assignee details, company registration documents, agent authority where applicable and official fee payment proof.

How long does trademark assignment take in Kenya?

There is no fixed timeline for every assignment. Straightforward files may take several weeks to a few months depending on KIPI review, completeness, number of trademarks, execution documents and whether the registry raises queries.

Who files the assignment at KIPI?

The assignee, proprietor, their advocate or appointed trademark agent may coordinate the filing. In practice, the party becoming entitled to the mark usually has the strongest interest in ensuring that the ownership record is updated.

Can one deed cover many trademarks?

Yes, one deed can be structured to cover multiple trademarks if the schedule is clear and the parties intend to transfer the listed marks. KIPI fees are still assessed per trademark/class according to the applicable fee schedule.

What is the difference between assignment and transmission?

Assignment is a voluntary transfer, usually by sale, business transfer or group restructuring. Transmission is transfer by operation of law, such as succession, merger, liquidation, court order or statutory transfer.

Is trademark assignment the same as trademark licensing?

No. Assignment transfers ownership. Licensing allows another person to use the trademark under agreed terms while ownership remains with the proprietor.

Do I need stamp duty on a trademark assignment deed?

Stamp duty treatment depends on the transaction structure, consideration, parties and instrument. The deed should be reviewed before filing so that execution and stamping issues do not delay recordal.

Can a distributor transfer trademark rights to another distributor in Kenya?

Yes, provided the distributor is the registered proprietor or has valid authority to transfer the trademark rights. If the distributor is only a licensee or registered user, assignment may require the true proprietor’s approval and proper legal documentation.

Official Sources

Trademark procedures, fees and forms can change. Confirm the latest KIPI guidance and fee schedule before filing or payment.

• KIPI — Patent and Trademark Forms
• KIPI — Trade Mark Fees: Local and Foreign
• Trade Marks Act, Cap 506
• KIPI — Trade Marks