Yes, a change is mandatory. After the company's name (i.e., the registrant's name) changes, an application should be filed with CNIPA to change the trademark registrant's name. The name in the trademark register must match the business license; otherwise, subsequent renewal, assignment, license recordation and even enforcement will all encounter obstacles.
Legal Basis
Article 41 of the Trademark Law provides that where a registered trademark requires a change of the registrant's name, address or other registered particulars, an application for change shall be filed. Article 49 further provides that where a registrant, in the course of using its registered trademark, changes the registrant's name on its own, the local administration for market regulation shall order correction within a time limit; if correction is not made by the deadline, CNIPA shall cancel the registered trademark.
In other words, failing to record a trademark change after a company name change is not merely a procedural defect — it carries a genuine legal risk of cancellation.
Practical Consequences of Not Changing
- Renewal obstructed: the renewal application must match the name in the register; a mismatch triggers a correction request and may push the matter into the grace period with an extra late fee;
- Assignment and licensing impossible: assignees and licensees cannot contract with a right holder whose name does not match the register;
- Enforcement weakened: administrative complaints, customs recordation and litigation all require proof of entity consistency; a name mismatch demands extra evidence;
- E-commerce onboarding blocked: platforms may refuse brand authorization when the trademark owner's name does not match the company's license.
Key Points for Filing
A change of name requires a change application form plus the name-change certificate issued by the market regulation authority. All registered trademarks under the company's name should be changed together; changing only some of them creates chaos in the register. The official fee for a name change is low and the examination cycle is short, so it should be initiated immediately after the business registration name change is completed.
If a renewal is coming up, the change and the renewal may be filed simultaneously and CNIPA will handle them together.
In similar situations, it is advisable to consult a recorded trademark agent at MyTMBee first, assess whether a trademark change is needed, and then decide on the next step.