> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://open-carbon-protocol.gitbook.io/ocp-handbook/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://open-carbon-protocol.gitbook.io/ocp-handbook/registry/credit-ownership-and-beneficial-owners.md).

# Credit Ownership and Beneficial Owners

Credit Ownership = the exclusive right over an OCP credit to:

* Transfer the credit
* Hold the credit 
* Retire the credit for a claim
* Prevent or take legal action against others exercising these rights

For OCP Credits, the **Beneficial Owner** holds these rights. This is established in the [OCP Terms of Service](https://pilot.ocp.earth/terms-of-service), under 5.4 'Credit Issuance and Credit Ownership'

> 5. Credit Issuance and Credit Ownership
>
> ...\
> 5.4 The Beneficial Owner of the credit(s) holds the right to hold, transfer and retire the credit. They also hold the right to prevent or take legal action against others exercising these rights. The Account Owner is the OCP Registry account who holds the specified carbon credit in their Inventory. Unless the Account Owner is a pre-approved Sub-Registry User (see 5.5) or has assigned Beneficial Ownership upon Retirement, the Account Owner is the same as the Beneficial Owner.

The **Account Owner** is the OCP Registry account who holds the specified carbon credit in their inventory.

Unless the Account Owner is a pre-approved [Sub-Registry User](#sub-registry-users) or has assigned Beneficial Ownership upon Retirement, the **Account Owner** is the same as the **Beneficial Owner**.

#### Sub-Registry Users

Pre-Approved **Sub-Registry Users** are accounts that can hold and transact OCP credits on behalf of Known Beneficial Owners. These includes marketplaces, brokers and other third parties holding credits on behalf of other organizations.

* Sub-Registry Users can assign Beneficial Ownership of an OCP credit to another third party organization, either via the OCP Platform or via API from their own product or service.
  * The Beneficial Owner must be an organization and not an individual. Sub-Registry Users must perform KYB on all Beneficial Owners and, if asked, provide the output of the KYB process. 
* The Sub-Registry User retains the right to transfer ownership to other Beneficial Owners on behalf of the original Beneficial Owner, but must inform the OCP before the ownership is recorded in the registry. They may also transfer Account Ownership of the credit to the Beneficial Owner, if the Beneficial Owner has an OCP Account.
* Sub-Registry Users must pay the relevant fees. Sub-Registry Users can enter into specific agreements with OSE that define rules of ownerships, user rights and transaction rules in addition to these terms.

This is established in [Section 5.5 (Credit Issuance + Credit Ownership) and Section 22 (Definitions) in the OCP Terms of Service](https://pilot.ocp.earth/terms-of-service). Credit Ownership disputes between Beneficial Owners and OSE are covered by Section 20 (Governing Law, Dispute Resolution + Attorney’s Fees); disputes between Beneficial Owners and third parties are matters between those parties.