Applying for a trademark in an individual’s name can be used by a company, but it needs to be authorized, transferred, etc., and filed with the Trademark Office.

Apply for a trademark in your own name. Once the trademark application is successful, the trademark ownership belongs to the individual and the owner decides how to use it. For example, if you authorize your own company or other companies to use it, you need to sign a relevant contract and file it with the Trademark Office.

Trademark registrants can also license others to use their registered trademarks by signing a trademark license contract. The licensor shall supervise the quality of the goods used by the licensee using its registered trademark. The licensee shall ensure the quality of the goods using the registered trademark. If the registered trademark of another person is used with permission, the name of the licensee and the place of origin of the goods must be marked on the goods using the registered trademark.

Documents required to authorize a company to use a personal trademark:

Power of attorney, application form, copy of the trademark licensee’s annual inspection business license (for legal persons) or copy of ID card (for natural persons) , a copy of the trademark licensor's annual inspection business license (for legal persons) or a copy of the ID card (for natural persons), the original trademark license contract signed between the trademark licensor and the trademark licensee, etc.

After authorizing a company to use a personal trademark and submitting a trademark license contract filing application to the Trademark Office, an acceptance notice will be issued in about one month; a filing letter will be issued in about three months.