name of a co-operative

(1) A co-operative may not be registered with the same name as another co-operative business already registered under this Act or the Co-operative Societies Act : Provided that where the articles of association of a secondary co-operative require all its member-co-operative shall have its location or other distinguishing feature included in common name. (2) Every co-operative shall display its full name in legible characters in a conspicuous position: (a) at every office or place at which it carries on business; (b) in all notice and other official publications; (c) on all its contracts, business letters, orders for goods, invoices, statements of accounts, receipts and letters of credit; and (d) on all bills of exchange, promissory notes, endorsements, cheques and orders for money it signs or that are signed on its behalf. (3) Every co-operative shall display its full name in legible characters on its common seal. (4) Nothing in Sub-section (2) shall prevent a co-operative displaying more conspicuously than the full name, any shorter name by which it is popularly known and which is specifically provided for in the articles of association. (5) A Co-operative may, by an amendment to its articles of association, change its name; provided, however, that before changing its name it shall send notice of its intention to change its name to the Registrar, along with proposed name/s, and the Registrar shall, within fifteen days of receiving such notice inform the co-operative if such name is already in use by another co-operative. (6) Where a co-operative changes its name, the Registrar shall (a) enter the new name of the co-operative in the register of co-operatives in place of the former name; (b) make necessary changes in the memorandum of association and articles of association; (c) issue a fresh certificated of registration with the necessary alterations; (d) communicate to the co-operative, by registered post, the fresh certificate of registration along with certified copies of the amended Memorandum and Articles. (7) The change of name of a co-operative shall not affect any rights or obligations of the co-operative or of any of its members or past members of render defective any legal proceeding by or against it; and any legal proceedings which might have been continued or commenced by or against the co-operative by its former name may be continued or commenced by its new name. (8) A co-operative which changes its name shall publicise such change in name in a popular newspaper in the district in which its registered office is located.