Melco Secures Full Control of Trademark Assets

Melco Resorts & Entertainment has moved to take direct ownership of its trademarks and intellectual property after agreeing to acquire a subsidiary from its parent company, Melco International Development.

According to a company filing, Melco International will sell its wholly owned unit, MI IP Licensing Services 1 Limited, to MCO (IP) Holdings Limited, a Melco Resorts subsidiary, for $375 million. The transaction is expected to be finalised on May 8, 2026, after which the entity will sit fully within the Melco Resorts group.

The deal transfers ownership of key trademark assets from the parent company to the operating business, aligning intellectual property with the group’s core gaming, leisure and entertainment operations.

During the company’s first-quarter earnings call, Chairman and CEO Lawrence Ho highlighted the importance of these trademarks, noting that they are central to the group’s brand and business model. He added that bringing the assets in-house will allow the company to expand its branding without incurring additional licensing costs.

Melco International stated that the restructuring is intended to simplify the group’s intellectual property framework. By relocating the trademark assets into a holding entity within Melco Resorts, the company aims to better align ownership with the businesses that actively use these brands across its integrated resort portfolio.

Financial disclosures showed that the subsidiary generated licensing income of $6.0 million in 2024, increasing to $32.7 million in 2025, reflecting the growing value of the intellectual property prior to the transaction.

Despite the transfer, Melco International will continue to benefit financially through its majority stake in Melco Resorts, maintaining exposure to the performance of the trademark assets.

The move comes amid a broader industry focus on managing branding rights within corporate structures. By consolidating control of its intellectual property, Melco Resorts is positioning itself to streamline oversight and strengthen its ability to manage and develop its brand portfolio across multiple markets.