Of the various meanings of "auteur" given in F.H.S. Bridge's dictionary, this seems to fit best.

If either the first use, or the first use in commerce, was by a predecessor in title to the applicant, or by a related company of the applicant (see 15 U.S.C. §§1055 and 1127), a claim of the date of that first use by the applicant should be accompanied by a statement that the use on such date was by the applicant's predecessor in title, or by a related company of the applicant, as the case may be. See 37 C.F.R. §2.38(a).
www.bitlaw.com/source/tmep/904_06.html

taken into account in determining the amount of the gain or loss accruing on the disposal, whether that consideration was given by or on behalf of the person making the disposal or by or on behalf of a predecessor in title of his whose acquisition cost represents (directly or indirectly) the whole or any part of the acquisition cost of the person making the disposal.
www.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts1992/Ukpga_19920012_en_9.htm

as was true in the case sub judice, especially as to the predecessor in title of
the plaintiffs, is binding upon the parties and their successors in title. ...
www.floridageomatics.com/ flalaw/cases/williams-johntry.htm


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Note added at 3 hrs 33 mins (2004-09-29 21:31:12 GMT)
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The term \"predecessor entity\" is also used:
CAPITAL SHARES. ... b. “Corporation” means the Corporation, and any domestic or foreign
predecessor entity which, in a merger or other transaction, ceased to ...
www.microsoft.com/msft/governance/articlesincorp.mspx

In upholding the imposition of the excise tax penalties, the Tax Court found the three for-profit entities to be severally liable for their proportionate share of the $5 million excess benefit (based upon their predecessor entity\'s share of the total revenue)
www.bakerdonelson.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=subsite& site_id=0&id=62&detail=1&cat=5