IP-assignment redaction is the removal of PII from assignment deeds and creator records. Form matters here: a patent assignment must be in writing and signed by or on behalf of the assignor under Patents Act 1977 s.30(6), and a copyright assignment needs the same under CDPA 1988 s.90(3). anonym.plus cleans the circulated copy and keeps the chain of title traceable.
When this applies
Assignment deeds name the creators, assignees, and witnesses. A buyer verifies the chain of title, and for trade marks will check whether the transaction was put on the register under Trade Marks Act 1994 s.25. Clear the people but keep the asset and the transfer.
How anonym.plus handles it
- Bring the deed into anonym.plus on your device.
- It flags creator, assignee, and witness names.
- Patent and asset references stay in place.
- Swap names for labels like [INVENTOR] and [ASSIGNEE].
- Save the clean document on your device.
What you need to provide
- The deed (DOCX, PDF, or scan).
- An operator (Replace keeps the text readable).
- Optional role map for creator and assignee labels.
PII entity types detected
| Category | anonym.plus entity type | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Names | PERSON | the creator → [INVENTOR] |
| Names | PERSON | assignee → [ASSIGNEE] |
| Names | PERSON | witness → [WITNESS] |
| Identifiers | NATIONAL_ID | personal id → [ID] |
| Location | LOCATION | home address → [ADDRESS] |
| Dates | DATE_TIME | assigned 10 Jan → [DATE] |
Compliance achieved
- Leaves the signed form Patents Act 1977 s.30(6) requires provable on the original.
- Keeps the written assignment CDPA 1988 s.90(3) demands legible.
- Preserves the detail needed to register a transaction under TMA 1994 s.25.
- On-device work keeps creator data inside the firm.
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Limitations & cautions
An inventor's name is public by design: Patents Act 1977 s.13(1) gives the inventor the right to be mentioned in the published patent, so masking the deed does not make that person anonymous. Never redact the executed original either — the signature is what satisfies s.30(6) and CDPA 1988 s.90(3).
Frequently asked questions
Does the chain of title stay traceable?
Yes. The patent and asset references stay. Only the people are swapped, so the transfer is still clear.
Can an inventor be made anonymous?
Not through the deed alone. Patents Act 1977 s.13(1) gives the inventor a right to be mentioned, and the published patent carries the name. Treat the deed as reducing spread, not as achieving anonymity.
Are witnesses cleared too?
Yes. Witnesses and notaries on the deed can be flagged and swapped with the parties.