Content Writing

A business can change its company name due to several reasons, be it an acquisition, merger, rebrand, entry into a new marketplace, or setting an Intellectual Property (IP) infringement lawsuit. However, in this scenario, the ultimate challenge for every other business out there lies in implementing the changes that reflect the new corporate identity. It is a matter of fact that yes – there are many visual changes required for branding like logos, advertisements, designs, packaging, social media profiles, and so on. But, in the same place, it is equally essential to file applications and update the IP assets, including patents, trademarks, and domain names.

  • While choosing a new legal name for your entity, you must perform a domain name and Trademark Search at the beginning to make sure that the corresponding name is available. This particular step is of the utmost importance if the legal name is also used as a brand name to sell the products or services. When it comes to performing a trademark or domain name search, you must understand how to do the same adequately for safeguarding your new business name. Additionally, it is always highly advisable to hire an IP management specialist, who can help you significantly in performing the search in your target regions and further reserve trademarks for your business cost-effectively. By doing the same, you can efficiently get through the Trademark Application process in the jurisdictions and nations where your company does business.
  • As a business owner, you must keep in mind to change the company name on its online channels and platforms. You need to register and set up the suitable social media profiles and domain names with the new legal entity name and rebrand the digital marketing assets, which include images, logos, advertisements, downloadable documents, email signatures, and so on. You must not forget to update the company description in the official website pages, blogs, press releases, footers, and external social media locations.
  • It is essential to reflect all the changes in the offline channels as well, like office and retail store signage, product labeling and packaging, and company car branding and delivery trucks. Remember, all these online and offline changes are primarily considered as marketing and promotional activities. But, at the same time, rebranding is also a costly and timely exercise for every other business out there; hence, it is imperative to work well with your marketing team and communicate all the required changes from a legal perspective both accurately and efficiently to a great extent.
  • A company name registration doesn’t necessarily grant the Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) to the businesses; for instance, in Hong Kong, business, company, and Trademark Registration are completely different from one another, and a separate registry manages each type of registration. Furthermore, while registering a company name, you need to bear in mind as a business owner that a separate application may be required to trademark the company name. For determining the requirements of company name, domain name, and trademark registration in different regions where your company does business, you can get in touch with an IP specialist.
  • If you decide to change the company name legally, you should also update the ownership information of all the patents, copyrights, and trademarks held by your business, including the IP registered in foreign nations. Recording a name change on trademarks, patents, and copyrights is voluntary; however, updating the ownership information ensures that the benefits and rights of IP ownership are accurately conferred both locally and globally.