UCC Filing

The filing of a security interest under a Personal Property Securities Act, which is the legal framework governing secured transactions over personal property (including intangible assets) in jurisdictions such as Australia, New Zealand, and Canadian provinces. PPSA registration perfects the security interest, establishes priority against competing claims, and provides public notice of the encumbrance.

The legal process by which a creditor's security interest in collateral becomes enforceable against third parties, typically through registration (UCC filing, PPSA registration, or Companies House filing), possession of the collateral, or control over financial assets. Perfection establishes the creditor's priority ranking relative to other secured parties.

Debt that holds the highest priority claim on specified collateral in the event of default or liquidation, ranking ahead of unsecured and subordinated obligations. Senior secured lenders benefit from security interests over identified assets such as property, equipment, receivables, or intellectual property.

A security interest granted by a borrower over its intellectual property assets — including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets — as collateral for a loan or other financial obligation. IP charges must typically be registered at both the relevant IP registry (such as the UK Intellectual Property Office or USPTO) and the general security interests registry (Companies House, UCC, or PPSA).

A form of security interest, primarily used in UK and Commonwealth jurisdictions, that attaches to a class of present and future assets of a company (such as stock, receivables, or general business assets) without preventing the company from dealing with those assets in the ordinary course of business. A floating charge 'crystallises' into a fixed charge upon the occurrence of a specified event such as default, appointment of a receiver, or commencement of winding up.

The legal transfer of a company's right to collect payment from its debtors to a lender or financial institution as security for a loan or as part of a receivables financing arrangement. Assignment may be by way of security (where the receivables serve as collateral) or by way of sale (as in factoring or securitisation).

A security interest that gives a lender a claim against all of a borrower's assets, both current and future, rather than specific identified collateral. Blanket liens are commonly used in small business lending and working capital facilities where itemising individual assets would be impractical.

The body of laws and corporate policies designed to prevent the offering, giving, soliciting, or accepting of bribes in commercial and public transactions. The UK Bribery Act 2010 is among the strictest globally, creating a corporate offence of failing to prevent bribery with a defence only for organisations that can demonstrate adequate procedures.

What is Section 859A and why does it matter for IP loans?

Section 859A of the Companies Act 2006 requires most company charges to be registered at Companies House within 21 days. Miss the deadline and the security is void against a liquidator or administrator.

What happens to my IP if I default on an IP-backed loan?

On default the lender enforces its registered security, which can mean selling, licensing or assigning the charged IP to recover the debt. How far it can go depends on the charge type and its priority ranking.

Does HSBC lend against intangible assets?

Yes, as part of a wider facility. HSBC UK evaluates intangible assets within its Growth Lending (launched 2022, £350m since December 2023) but has published no IP loan size or advance rate.