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Asset Purchase Agreement
I need an asset purchase agreement for the acquisition of a small business's tangible and intangible assets, including inventory, equipment, and intellectual property, with a focus on ensuring clear transfer of ownership and compliance with Austrian regulations. The agreement should include provisions for due diligence, representations and warranties, and a detailed payment schedule.
What is an Asset Purchase Agreement?
An Asset Purchase Agreement is a legally binding contract used when buying specific business assets rather than an entire company in Austria. It details exactly which assets are being sold - from equipment and inventory to customer contracts and intellectual property - along with their agreed prices and transfer conditions.
Under Austrian commercial law, these agreements protect both buyers and sellers by clearly documenting warranties, liabilities, and any special conditions for the transfer. They're particularly important for ensuring compliance with Austrian tax regulations and handling employee-related matters when business assets change hands. The agreement also addresses how existing contracts, licenses, and permits will be handled during the transition.
When should you use an Asset Purchase Agreement?
Use an Asset Purchase Agreement when buying specific parts of a business in Austria without taking over the entire company. This agreement becomes essential when acquiring selected assets like machinery, inventory, intellectual property, or client lists while leaving behind unwanted liabilities or problematic contracts.
The agreement proves particularly valuable during partial business acquisitions, restructuring scenarios, or when cherry-picking profitable segments from a struggling company. Austrian law requires detailed documentation of such transactions, especially regarding VAT implications and employee rights. Having this agreement helps navigate complex regulatory requirements and protects both parties from future disputes about what was included in the sale.
What are the different types of Asset Purchase Agreement?
- Asset Sale Agreement: Standard template for purchasing physical business assets like equipment and inventory, commonly used in manufacturing and retail sectors.
- Share And Asset Purchase Agreement: Hybrid agreement combining both asset acquisition and share purchase, ideal for complex business restructuring.
- Digital Asset Purchase Agreement: Specialized version for buying digital assets like software, websites, or cryptocurrency, with specific IP protection clauses.
- Asset Agreement: Simplified version for straightforward asset transfers, typically used in smaller transactions.
Who should typically use an Asset Purchase Agreement?
- Business Sellers: Companies or entrepreneurs selling specific assets, responsible for disclosing asset conditions and existing obligations under Austrian law.
- Asset Buyers: Organizations or individuals acquiring business assets, often conducting due diligence and securing financing for the purchase.
- Corporate Lawyers: Draft and review Asset Purchase Agreements to ensure compliance with Austrian commercial law and protect their clients' interests.
- Tax Advisors: Guide both parties on VAT implications and tax-efficient structuring of asset transfers.
- Business Valuators: Provide independent assessments of asset values to support fair pricing and negotiations.
How do you write an Asset Purchase Agreement?
- Asset Inventory: Create a detailed list of all assets being transferred, including serial numbers, locations, and current market values.
- Due Diligence: Gather documentation proving ownership, maintenance records, and any existing liens or encumbrances.
- Purchase Terms: Define payment structure, transfer timing, and any earn-out provisions in line with Austrian commercial law.
- Employee Impact: Document any staff transfers or retained employees under Austrian labor regulations.
- Compliance Check: Review industry-specific regulations and required permits for asset operation.
- Final Review: Use our platform to generate a compliant Asset Purchase Agreement that incorporates all gathered information accurately.
What should be included in an Asset Purchase Agreement?
- Parties' Details: Full legal names, registration numbers, and authorized representatives of buyer and seller.
- Asset Description: Precise identification of all assets being transferred, including physical location and condition.
- Purchase Price: Clear payment terms, including VAT treatment under Austrian tax law.
- Transfer Terms: Specific timing and mechanics of ownership transfer, including risk passage.
- Warranties: Seller's declarations about asset condition and ownership status.
- Employee Provisions: Treatment of existing employment contracts under Austrian labor law.
- Governing Law: Explicit reference to Austrian jurisdiction and dispute resolution procedures.
What's the difference between an Asset Purchase Agreement and a Share Purchase Agreement?
An Asset Purchase Agreement differs significantly from a Share Purchase Agreement in how they transfer business ownership under Austrian law. While both facilitate business transactions, they serve distinct purposes and come with different legal implications.
- Transaction Scope: Asset Purchase Agreements allow buyers to select specific business assets, excluding unwanted liabilities or problematic contracts. In contrast, Share Purchase Agreement transfers ownership of the entire company through stock acquisition.
- Liability Transfer: With asset purchases, buyers typically assume only specified liabilities. Share purchases automatically transfer all company liabilities, known and unknown.
- Tax Implications: Asset purchases often offer more favorable depreciation benefits under Austrian tax law, while share transfers may trigger different tax treatments and stamp duties.
- Employee Rights: Asset purchases require specific provisions for transferring employees, while share purchases automatically maintain all employment relationships unchanged.
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