In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving, in a device, a first message to request transfer of ownership of the device from a current owner to a new owner, the device having a storage to store a first title including a device identifier for the device and an owner identifier for the current owner, the storage to further store a first root authorization key associated with the current owner; sending a second message from the device to the new owner, the second message including a hash value of the first title; and receiving a third message, in the device, the third message including a second title for the device, the second title generated by the new owner and including a new owner identifier, the second title comprising a concatenation of the first title, to enable ownership of the device to be transferred to the new owner.