Business OS
Human ResourcesGeneral

Employee Authorship Certificate

This template is an Employee Authorship Certificate, used to formally recognize and document that intellectual property created by an employee during their employment belongs to the company. It should be used when an employee has developed significant work, invention, or creation that falls under the scope of their employment contract.

Updated 15d ago
authorshipintellectual propertyemployee agreementHRlegalSouthern Africa

Company Letterhead

{{company_name}}

{{company_address}}

Phone: {{phone}}

Email: {{email}}

Website: {{website}}

EMPLOYEE AUTHORSHIP CERTIFICATE

Date: {{date}}

This Employee Authorship Certificate (hereinafter referred to as the "Certificate") is made and entered into on this {{day}} day of {{month}}, {{year}}.

Parties

This Certificate is between:

1. {{company_name}} (Registration Number: {{company_registration_number}}), a company duly incorporated and existing under the laws of {{country}}, with its principal place of business at {{company_address}} (hereinafter referred to as "the Company").

AND

2. {{employee_full_name}} (Identification/Passport Number: {{employee_ID_number}}), an adult employee residing at {{employee_address}} (hereinafter referred to as "the Employee").

Background

WHEREAS, the Employee is employed by the Company in the capacity of {{employee_position}} under an employment agreement dated {{employment_start_date}}.

WHEREAS, in the course of their employment with the Company, the Employee has conceived, developed, or contributed to the creation of certain intellectual property.

WHEREAS, the Company wishes to formally acknowledge the Employee's contribution and affirm its ownership of the said intellectual property as per the terms of the employment agreement and applicable laws.

Acknowledgement of Authorship and Ownership

The Employee hereby acknowledges and confirms that all intellectual property, including but not limited to discoveries, inventions, works of authorship, designs, software, processes, formulas, and improvements (hereinafter collectively referred to as "the Work"), created or developed by the Employee during the course and scope of their employment with the Company, including specifically:

- Title/Description of Work: {{title_of_work}}

- Date of Creation/Completion: {{date_of_creation}}

- Brief Description of Work: {{description_of_work}}

are works made for hire and are and shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Company from the moment of creation. The Employee irrevocably assigns to the Company all rights, title, and interest in and to the Work, including all intellectual property rights such as copyrights, patents, trademarks, and trade secrets, worldwide.

Representations and Warranties

The Employee represents and warrants that:

1. The Work is original and does not infringe upon the intellectual property rights of any third party.

2. The Employee has not previously assigned, transferred, or encumbered any rights in the Work to any third party.

3. The Employee has the full right and authority to enter into this Certificate and to make the assignments contemplated herein.

Further Assurances

The Employee agrees to execute and deliver any further instruments, documents, or assurances, and to perform any acts that the Company may reasonably deem necessary or desirable to perfect, register, or enforce the Company's rights in the Work, at the Company's expense, both during and after the term of employment.

Governing Law and Jurisdiction

This Certificate shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of {{country}}. Any disputes arising out of or in connection with this Certificate shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of {{country}}.

Entire Agreement

This Certificate constitutes the entire agreement between the Employee and the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior discussions, negotiations, and agreements, whether oral or written, relating thereto. Any modification to this Certificate must be in writing and signed by both parties.

Signature Block

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Employee Authorship Certificate on the date first above written.

FOR THE COMPANY:

_____________________________

Name: {{company_representative_name}}

Title: {{company_representative_title}}

Date: _____________________________

FOR THE EMPLOYEE:

_____________________________

Name: {{employee_full_name}}

Date: _____________________________

WITNESSES:

1. _____________________________

Name: {{witness_1_name}}

Date: _____________________________

2. _____________________________

Name: {{witness_2_name}}

Date: _____________________________

Related templates