This is one of the questions clients discover latest: when registering their trademark, changing supplier or having their logo modified. It is better to answer it before ordering. The guidance below concerns French law and remains general; for a specific situation, speak to a lawyer or an intellectual property adviser.

What copyright law says

Under French law, an original work of the mind, which a logo can be, is protected by copyright from the mere fact of its creation, with no registration or formality. The author is, in principle, the person who created it. The designer is therefore the original holder of the rights in the logo they drew.

Why the client isn't "automatically" the owner

Buying a logo means buying a design service. The exploitation rights, for their part, are transferred by an assignment contract. In French copyright law, an assignment must list each of the rights assigned separately and set out their field of use: scope, purpose, territory and duration. Without that, the client's position is legally fragile.

What an assignment of rights should contain

  • The rights assigned: reproduction, representation, adaptation.
  • The materials and uses concerned: print, web, packaging, shop sign, clothing, etc.
  • The territory: France, Europe, worldwide.
  • The duration of the assignment.
  • Exclusivity: is the logo reserved for you?
  • The fee that corresponds to the assignment.

And moral rights?

The author keeps a moral right over their work (notably the right to respect of the work), which can't be assigned. In practice, it doesn't prevent you from using a logo normally once the exploitation rights have been assigned, but it explains why the contract should be clear about what the client may modify or adapt.

Points to check before paying

  • The assignment is stated in writing in the quote or order.
  • Its scope covers all your materials and your territory.
  • The designer delivers the vector and source files, needed to let the logo evolve.
  • You are allowed to modify the logo or have it modified.

To go further, read understanding a logo quote: rights and assignment (in French), how to protect your logo (in French) and should you register your logo with the INPI (in French).

Frequently asked questions about who owns a logo

Should you register your logo with the INPI as well as getting an assignment of rights?
They are two different steps: the assignment governs the use of the copyright, while registration protects the logo as a trademark for certain activities. The detail is in should you register your logo with the INPI (in French).

What happens if no assignment is provided for?
The client may find themselves in a legally uncertain situation when using the logo. It is better to have the assignment set out in writing before paying.

More questions about logo design

How Do You Check a Logo Doesn't Already Exist Before Adopting It?
Five checks reduce the risk: image search, trademark databases (INPI, EUIPO), sector, name and domains, professional advice. Read the article →

Can You Use a Free Font in a Logo?
Sometimes yes, sometimes no: 'free' doesn't mean 'free to use in a logo'. Read each font's licence. Read the article →

Can You Take Inspiration From a Competitor's Logo Without Risk?
Take inspiration, don't imitate: study the sector's codes, but avoid any resemblance that creates confusion with a competitor. Read the article →

What Should You Do If a Designer Doesn't Deliver the Source Files for Your Logo?
Re-read the quote, ask for the files in writing, then use the platform's remedies; failing that, a logo can be redrawn as a vector. Read the article →

What Common Mistakes Should Be Avoided When Creating a Logo?
The most frequent mistakes: unnecessary complexity, lack of originality, poor readability at small sizes, and no vector files. Read the article →

What File Formats Should I Request for a Logo So I Can Use It Across Different Materials?
A professional logo should be delivered as a vector file (SVG, PDF, EPS) for print, plus PNG and JPG exports for the web. Read the article →

How Can a Logo Strengthen a Small Business's Brand Image?
A good logo gives a small business instant credibility and consistency across all its materials, often before the first customer contact. Read the article →

See all questions about logo design →

My take as a designer

I often see clients discover the question of rights after the fact, when registering their trademark or changing supplier. A clear assignment, written into the quote, avoids most of those situations, and reassures the designer as much as the client.

A logo you've paid for but without a clear assignment is a logo you aren't sure you own.

To sum up

Under French law, copyright belongs first to the designer; the client only acquires its use through a written assignment.

The assignment must set out the rights assigned, their scope, their purpose, the territory and the duration.

Check it before paying, and keep the quote, invoice and files.