AUTOMATIC-ASSIGNMENT DOCTRINE

automatic-assignment doctrine.Trademarks. The rule that, absent evidence to the contrary, the

sale of  an  entire  business  carries  with  it and  transfers to  the  purchaser  any  common-law  marks

used in that business without the need for a written assignment. • For marks registered under the

Lanham Act or under some state registration schemes, a written assignment is required to transfer

an  interest  in  a  registered  mark  or  in  a  pending  application  to  register  a  mark.  [Cases:  Trade

Regulation    102. C.J.S. Trade-Marks, Trade-Names, and Unfair Competition §§ 205, 207.][Blacks Law 8th]