Rebranding is an exciting time for any business, signifying growth, evolution, and a fresh start. However, it’s crucial to ensure that all aspects of your intellectual property (IP) and legal documentation reflect these changes. Here’s a comprehensive rebrand checklist to help you manage your rebrand effectively, focusing on updating your IP across various platforms and stakeholders.
Update your bank
When you change your brand name or logo, one of the first steps is to inform your bank. This ensures that all your financial documents and accounts reflect your new identity. You may want to add all of your financial providers to the rebrand checklist to make sure you don’t miss any.
- Notify your bank: Provide formal notification of your rebrand, including your new brand name and logo. They want to see that the brand name has changed at Companies House before they process the change.
- Other lenders: As well as your bank, make sure to update any other financial service providers you have services or products with to include loan account, credit cards, bounce back lenders etc.
- Amendment of signatories: If your rebranding involves changes in signatories, update these details as well.
Registering with Companies House
In the UK, it’s essential to update your company details with Companies House to maintain compliance and avoid any legal issues.
- Change of name: Submit the necessary forms to register your new company name with Companies House.
- Update articles of association: Amend your Articles of Association to reflect any changes in your company’s name or branding.
- Notify HMRC: Inform HMRC of your rebranding to ensure all tax documents are up to date.
Communicating with suppliers and customers
Maintaining clear communication with your suppliers and customers is crucial during a rebrand to ensure smooth transitions and continued trust.
- Send official notifications: Inform all your suppliers and customers about your rebrand, making them aware of your new brand name, logo, and any other relevant changes.
- Update contracts: Amend any existing contracts to reflect your new brand name and logo.
- Revise invoices and purchase orders: Ensure that all invoices and purchase orders are updated with your new branding.
Reviewing terms & conditions (T&Cs)
Your business’s terms and conditions (T&Cs) should reflect your new brand to maintain legal consistency and clarity.
- Update all T&Cs: Review and amend all your T&Cs documents to include your new brand name and logo.
- Communicate changes: Inform your customers of any significant changes to your T&Cs and ensure they are easily accessible on your website and other platforms.
Revising privacy policies
Ensuring your privacy policies are up to date is essential for legal compliance and customer trust.
- Amend privacy policies: Update your privacy policies to reflect your new brand name and logo.
- Notify users: Communicate any changes to your privacy policies to your customers and users, providing clear explanations of any updates.
- Ensure accessibility: Make sure your updated privacy policies are easily accessible on your website and other relevant platforms.
Updating trademarks and IP registrations
Protecting your new brand identity through updated trademarks and IP registrations is crucial for safeguarding your brand.
- Register new trademarks: Apply for new trademarks for your new brand name and logo with the Intellectual Property Office (IPO).
- Update existing registrations: Amend any existing IP registrations to reflect your new branding.
- Review IP portfolio: Conduct a thorough review of your IP portfolio to ensure all elements are consistent with your new brand identity.
Informing regulatory bodies
Depending on your industry, you may need to inform various regulatory bodies about your rebrand.
- Identify relevant bodies: Determine which regulatory bodies need to be informed of your rebrand.
- Submit required documentation: Provide the necessary documentation to update your information with these bodies.
- Ensure compliance: Verify that all regulatory requirements are met to avoid any compliance issues.
Rebranding is a complex process that involves more than just changing your brand name and logo. Ensuring that all aspects of your intellectual property and legal documentation are up to date is important for a seamless transition and continued business success. At Jamieson Law, we can assist you with all legal aspects of your rebranding process, ensuring that every detail is meticulously handled. Why not use this rebrand checklist as your starting point and then get in touch if you need more support.
Decided that a chat would be helpful? No problem, get in touch to ensure your rebrand is legally sound and sets your business up for continued success.
