«Creative legal solutions for creative people. You create, we protect.»

An Iryna

Head of Commercial and Civil Law Practice

Lawyer, specialist in intellectual property. Specializes in registration and protection of copyrights, inventions, patents, trademarks, as well as development of intellectual property transfer agreements, license agreements.

Contact now

Commercial concession contract

A commercial concession agreement is one of the most popular tools for attracting investment and increasing the business territory for intellectual property owners. In this article, we will consider the main aspects of a commercial concession agreement and recommendations for its conclusion.

The subject of the commercial concession agreement is the right to use objects of intellectual property rights. This may include, for example, inventions, patents, trademarks, copyrights in works of art or software, trade secrets and know-how.

 

What are the features of commercial concession contracts?

When concluding a commercial concession agreement, which provides for the use of objects of intellectual property rights, a number of features must be taken into account. In particular, the contract should determine the scope of rights to use the object of intellectual property rights, as well as the conditions for using these rights. The agreement must also provide for mechanisms for monitoring the fulfillment of the terms of the agreement and protecting the rights of the owner of the object of intellectual property rights.

The commercial concession contract may stipulate such terms of use of the object of intellectual property rights as:

  • limitation of the term of use of the right;
  • limitation of the territory of use of the right;
  • requirements regarding the quality and protection of the object of intellectual property rights;
  • requirements for information that must be provided to the owner of the intellectual property right;
  • conditions regarding the payment of compensation or royalties for the use of the object of intellectual property rights.

It is important to note that the conclusion of a commercial concession agreement, which provides for the use of an object of intellectual property rights, can be complicated and require additional costs for legal consultations and examinations of the object of intellectual property rights. In addition, before concluding the contract, it is necessary to check whether there are rights to the object of intellectual property that may be violated as a result of the use of this object.

In addition to the terms of use of the object of intellectual property rights, the commercial concession agreement may include such terms as:

  • the obligation to provide the owner of the right with information about the fulfillment of the terms of the contract;
  • the obligation to comply with the legislation on intellectual property;
  • the obligation to provide compensation in case of violation of the rights of the owner of the object of intellectual property rights;
  • the obligation to ensure the confidentiality of information about the object of intellectual property rights;
  • the procedure for terminating the contract and the consequences of such termination.

What are the requirements for commercial concession agreements?

In order for a commercial concession agreement, which provides for the use of an object of intellectual property rights, to be legally valid, it must be concluded in writing and signed by the parties.

In addition, the contract must specify all mandatory elements of the contract, which are provided for by the legislation on commercial concession, in particular:

  • The parties to the commercial concession contract must be subjects of entrepreneurial activity.
  • The size of the fee for the transfer of rights, since by definition such an agreement cannot be free of charge.
  • Forms of control of the Right Owner over the cost of goods and services offered to consumers for the intellectual property objects of the Right Owner
  • The procedure for maintaining staff qualifications and user training.

Other terms of cooperation may be included in the contract upon agreement of the parties, in particular provisions regarding cases of violation of the terms of the commercial concession contract, rights protection measures, cases of ban on the use of the object of intellectual property rights, claims for damages and compensation for damages.

In addition, before concluding a commercial concession contract, especially in the case of using an object of intellectual property rights, it is necessary to take into account the national and international legislation on intellectual property issues. Each country may have its own peculiarities of legislation regulating the use of objects of intellectual property rights, therefore, before concluding a contract, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the relevant legislation.

What risks exist when concluding commercial concession agreements

When concluding a commercial concession contract, risks may arise that are associated with the use of intellectual property rights, as well as with its change or termination. The main risks to consider are:

Risk of violation of the rights of the intellectual property owner. If the enterprise uses rights that do not belong to it, this may lead to a violation of the rights of the owner of intellectual property. Such violations can be prosecuted, which will lead to significant financial costs.

The risk of changing the terms of the contract. A commercial concession agreement may contain terms that will need to be changed in the event of a change in circumstances. However, in the event of a change in the terms of the contract, a contradiction may arise between the parties and lead to a conflict.

Risk of contract termination. A commercial concession contract may be terminated in case of violation of the terms of the contract or upon reaching the validity period. At the same time, certain problems may arise, for example, related to changes in the terms of use of objects of intellectual property right after the termination of the contract.

The risk of dependence on the owner of the intellectual property right. If the commercial concession agreement provides for the exclusive right to use objects of intellectual property rights, then the enterprise may become dependent on the owner of the right. This can lead to the fact that the enterprise will not be able to

How to avoid such risks when concluding commercial concession contracts

In order to avoid risks when concluding a commercial concession contract, the following recommendations should be taken into account:

  1. Carefully study documents containing provisions on intellectual property rights. Before concluding a commercial concession agreement, it is important to study in detail the documents containing intellectual property rights, as well as to make sure of their legality and the legality of using such rights.
  2. Develop contract terms that allow for changes. A commercial concession contract may contain terms that will need to be changed in the event of a change in circumstances. It is important to develop such conditions and describe them in detail in the contract.
  3. Review the terms of the contract in case of termination. A commercial concession contract may be terminated in case of violation of the terms of the contract or upon reaching the validity period. Before concluding the contract, it is important to analyze the termination conditions in detail and agree them with the owner of the intellectual property right.
  4. Ensure your independence. If the commercial concession agreement provides for the exclusive right to use objects of intellectual property rights, it is important to ensure your independence. Access to other sources of intellectual property rights should be ensured, if possible, and an action plan should be developed in case of termination of the contract.
  5. Contact the professionals. Entering into a commercial concession contract can be a complex process that requires responsibility and a professional approach. Therefore, if you do not have sufficient experience or knowledge in this matter, it is better to contact professionals who will help you conclude a profitable and safe contract.
  6. Negotiate the terms of the contract with the owner of the intellectual property right. Before concluding a commercial concession agreement, it is important to agree on the terms with the owner of the intellectual property right. This will avoid misunderstandings and conflicts in the future.
  7. Check your partner’s activity. Before concluding a commercial concession contract, it is necessary to study the activities of your partner in detail. It is important to check his financial status, reputation and other important aspects to ensure his ability to fulfill the terms of the contract.
  8. Follow the terms of the contract. To avoid risks, it is important to comply with the terms of the commercial concession agreement and your obligations. This will avoid breach of contract and help maintain mutually beneficial relations with the owner of the intellectual property right.
  9. Draw up the contract in writing. It is better to conclude a commercial concession agreement in writing to have evidence in case of a dispute. It is important to describe in detail the terms of the contract and the responsibilities of the parties.
  10. Ensure mutual benefit. To avoid risks, it is important to ensure the mutual benefit of the parties. A commercial concession contract should be beneficial for both parties, so it is important to carefully analyze the terms of the contract and agree on the best options.
  11. Consider including a non-compete clause in the contract. To ensure mutual interests, it is possible to consider the possibility of including prohibitions on competition in the contract. This will reduce the risks of losing competitive advantage and preserve intellectual property.
  12. Develop a plan to anticipate possible problems. Before concluding a commercial concession contract, it is important to develop a plan to anticipate possible problems. To do this, you can study the experience of previous commercial concession contracts, turn to specialists and develop a detailed strategy.

In conclusion, the commercial concession agreement is a profitable tool for business development and obtaining rights to use intellectual property rights. However, to avoid risks and ensure mutual benefit, it is important to carefully research the terms of the contract, interact with the owner of the intellectual property right and adhere to the terms of the contract.

Calculate the cost of services

1 question

Do you need to develop a commercial concession agreement?

Yes
No

2 question

Is a contract necessary for work within Ukraine?

Yes
No

3 question

Are you in Kyiv or Kyiv region?

Yes
No
An Iryna
Head of Commercial and Civil Law Practice

Lawyer, specialist in intellectual property. Specializes in registration and protection of copyrights, inventions, patents, trademarks, as well as development of intellectual property transfer agreements, license agreements.

Contact now
How helpful was the article? Rate:

5

Count of grades:

12

20%
discount
If we do not
call back
during the day
Consultation
Law Company
Leave a request for legal assistance right now:
The best lawyers
Fair price
We work quickly
Online / offline consultation