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Change business Name

Verified 01 January 2023 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

The company may be identified by the name, trade name and trade sign. During its lifetime, the company may modify any of these elements. To do this, certain formalities must be completed.

It is necessary to distinguish the corporate name, trade name and sign name which are 3 distinct notions.

Social Name / Social Reason

The name is the name of the business that identifies it as a legal entity distinct from its affiliates.

The company name is mandatory, it must appear in the statutes of the business followed by its legal form (SARL, SAS, SA, etc.).

If the company is a civil business, then we're talking about the social name.

Business name is freely chosen by associates, it can include letters and numbers, or even special characters. It can be fanciful, linked to the activity carried out or can simply take the name of a partner.

If you decide to use your own name as a corporate name, the business may continue to use it even after you leave.

The name is protected from the moment it is entered in the Commercial and business Register (CSR).

Warning  

Within the framework of a individual business (micro-entrepreneur, individual entrepreneur, EIRL: titleContent), the legal identity of the company is inseparable from the identity of the entrepreneur. Thus, the name corresponds to its family name (which may be accompanied by his first name). For an individual contractor, the name must be preceded or followed by the individual contractor or ISIS.

Business Name

The trade name is the name publicly used by the company to exploit its trade or business.

In other words, the trade name is usage name which allows the company to be identified in its commercial relations with its suppliers, partners and customers. It is therefore included in most documents published by the company (contracts, invoices, advertisements).

The trade name is optional and may include the company's corporate name.

It is protected by the mere fact of its use.

Business

Thecommercial allows the territorial identification of the premises that operate the trade fund, it designates a particular company institution.

This may be an inscription, emblem, logo or other symbol generally displayed on the facade of the point of sale. The sign may refer to the trade name, the name of the operator or even the street where the establishment is located.

The commercial sign is optional but contributes to the company's brand.

Prior to any change, it is imperative to check availability the name you chose, that is, make sure that it is not already in use by a company that has a similar or similar activity to you.

If your new name might cause confusion with a competitor, the competitor may sue you for unfair competition and claim payment of damages.

To check the availability of the name, it is possible to consult the website free of charge Company Directory. This database gives you access to all the information in a company (names, Siren, address, etc.).

Company Directory: Find all company information

It is also advisable to search for prior art on the website of theInpi to verify that the proposed name does not enjoy any protection (trademark registration).

Search for Brand Antecedence (INPI)

The formalities vary according to the element impacted by the modification.

Social name

The change of name implies a amendment of articles by the partners assembled in accordance with the provisions of the law or the articles.

Please note

when the business has only one partner (EURL, SASU), it is up to him to decide to change the name.

The change notice must then be published in legal ad support by mentioning the old and new name of the business.

Finally, the change of name must be declared on the website of the company formalities window.

Company formalities window

Auto insert at Bodacc (Official Bulletin of the Civil and Commercial Announcements) will make the change in the name third party.

Warning  

From 1to January 2023, it is no longer possible to make your paperwork in a company Formalities Centre (CFE). You have to make them on the website of company formalities window.

When you file your return, you must submit the supporting documents following:

  • A copy of the updated, dated and certified by the legal representative to be in conformity with the original
  • Certificate of publication of the notice in a legal ad support
Business Name

The decision of the partners to change the trade name takes the form of a minutes, but does not involve a change in the statutes.

Please note

when the business has only one partner (EURL, SASU), the decision to change the trade name is up to him.

Publication of a notice in a legal ad support is optional.

On the other hand, the commercial name is one of the characteristics of the company. It is therefore necessary to declare the change of trade name on the website of company formalities window.

Company formalities window

The automatic insertion in Bodacc (Official Bulletin of Civil and Commercial Advertisements) will make the change of the trade name third party.

Warning  

From 1to January 2023, it is no longer possible to make your paperwork in a company Formalities Centre (CFE). You have to make them on the website of company formalities window.

Business

The decision of the partners to change the trade sign takes the form of a minutes but does not imply an amendment of the articles of association.

Please note

When the business has only one partner (EURL, SASU), it is up to him to decide to change the commercial sign.

Publication of a notice in a legal ad support is optional.

On the other hand, the commercial sign is one of the company's characteristics. It is therefore necessary to declare the change of trade name on the website of the company formalities office.

Company formalities window

Auto insert at Bodacc (Official Bulletin of the Civil and Commercial Announcements) will make the change of the commercial sign third party.

Warning  

From 1to January 2023, it is no longer possible to make your paperwork in a company Formalities Centre (CFE). You have to make them on the website of company formalities window.

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