Clive Palmer has changed the name of his political party less than three weeks after it was formed.

The billionaire businessman announced on Sunday his United Australia Party will now be known as the Palmer United Party, to avoid a legal battle with the Australian Electoral Commission.

A group of Brisbanites has already applied to register the Uniting Australia Party, and AEC rules say a new party can be knocked back if it can be mistaken for a ‘‘recognised political party’’.

Mr Palmer has until Monday to register his Palmer United Party with the AEC in time for the September 14 federal election.

He has already trademarked the UAP name but now insists his party’s platform is more important than its name.