Assignment: Overview, definition and example
What is assignment?
Assignment is the process of transferring rights under a contract from one party (the assignor) to another (the assignee). This allows the assignee to take over certain benefits or entitlements under the contract, such as the right to receive payments or use a service. However, responsibilities under the contract cannot be assigned—only rights can.
For example, if a business assigns its right to collect payments from a customer to a third-party financier, that financier becomes entitled to the payments under the original contract.
Why is assignment important?
Assignment is important because it provides flexibility in managing contracts. It allows parties to transfer their rights to others, making it easier to handle business transactions, such as mergers, acquisitions, or financing arrangements.
For the other party in the contract, understanding the rules around assignment ensures clarity on who holds the rights and helps avoid disputes if rights are transferred without their knowledge or consent.
Understanding assignment through an example
Imagine a software company enters into a licensing agreement with a client, giving the client the right to use its software. Later, the client is acquired by a larger corporation. To ensure continuity, the client assigns its rights under the licensing agreement to the acquiring corporation. Now, the acquiring corporation can legally use the software under the same terms, but the client remains responsible for any responsibilities unless the software company agrees otherwise.
An example of an assignment clause
Here’s how an assignment clause might look in a contract:
“Neither Party shall assign any rights under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other Party, except that a Party may assign its rights to an Affiliate or as part of a merger or acquisition.”
Conclusion
Assignment refers to transferring rights—not responsibilities—under a contract to another party. It’s a valuable tool for flexibility in business arrangements but requires clear rules to ensure fairness and transparency.
By understanding assignment, businesses can manage their contractual rights effectively while protecting themselves from unexpected changes or disputes. It’s about balancing flexibility with clarity.
This article contains general legal information and does not contain legal advice. Cobrief is not a law firm or a substitute for an attorney or law firm. The law is complex and changes often. For legal advice, please ask a lawyer.