A brand, studio and legal entity can use related names without being the same record. Resolve the identity needed for the transaction rather than assuming the familiar name explains it.
WIPO's IP-audit guidance considers assets and the relationships relevant to their business use. WIPO — Uncovering IP Risks and Potential: IP Audit.
Match the parties
For a character licence, identify the legal parties and the relevant asset records. Preserve evidence explaining a name difference or relationship instead of rewriting the record to make it look consistent.
Keep uncertainty open
An unresolved identity issue may need appropriate document review. Do not fill the gap with a contact person's display name or an unverified company abbreviation. The objective is a traceable transaction basis, not a universal conclusion about who owns a brand.
Source reviewed 25 October 2026. Interpretation and original diagrams: PLUSHIP / Qunhe. Examples are illustrative.
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