Your state`s business filing agency does not allow two companies to have the same name. In some states, business units may also not have names that are deliciously similar to each other. Because of this rule, when you form or form an LLC, you can “claim” your name in your home state and prevent other companies from using it. Add the brand icon to anything that displays your business name, such as business cards and ads. Until your trademark is approved, you can only use “TM” for the trademark or “SM” for the service mark. Once your brand is approved, you can use the “R” in a circle. Check your region or state laws that may restrict the use of brand symbols. Can you protect your business name without forming a public company or LLC? While you may switch fields in the future, it is often expensive and complex to do so. The best option is to get creative and find a domain name that you can live with and that is linked to your business name. Basically, in order to protect a business name, the name chosen cannot be exactly the same as another business name. Even if the name is slightly different, it may not be allowed if it is too similar to another name: If you haven`t had time to fill out all the paperwork to register your business in your state, you can still fill out a reservation request for the company name, so you`ve at least started protecting your business name. Typically, a name reservation postpones the name you have chosen from 30 to 90 days.
Are you considering a business in your home state? Check if your business name is available or reserve it until you`re ready to start your business. If you plan to run your business nationwide, start with a trademark search to make sure your name is available. The more valuable your names and trademarks are, the more important it is that you take appropriate steps to protect your intellectual property. You must first make sure that your business name is protected. This is especially true if you authorize an agent or distributor to use or sell your branded products and services. If you enter into a joint venture or use a venture capitalist in the business, you may be asked to confirm that your business names are protected. Registering a trademark is another way to protect a business name. A trademark gives the owner the exclusive right to market or sell goods and services using that trademark, as well as the right to prevent others from using the same or similar marks to market their products. Submit a declaration to do business as a statement to your local government office that regulates small businesses.
This is necessary for companies operating under a name other than that of the owner. Also known as a fictitious name declaration or accepted name declaration, the Doing Business as declaration informs your community about the business and its owner. It also lets potential business owners know that the name is being used. Does it matter if the domain name is not exactly your business name? Sure, it`s ideal to have the same domain name as your business name, but more and more business owners are finding exact names, especially with .com extensions, which can be difficult to obtain. Once submitted, your form will go directly to the USPTO. Please note that all information in your application (with the exception of payment information) is considered a public document, including your address. One of the most effective ways to protect your business name in your state is to complete the formal process of forming a company under your state`s laws. Typically, this means filing legislation with the Secretary of State or other designated state agency.
Once you have paid the application fee and submitted your application online, the USPTO will review your application and assign a serial number to your application. Registration fees are non-refundable. Any correspondence with the USPTO (official acts) must receive a timely response, otherwise they will assume that you have abandoned the mark. Registration offers nationwide trademark protection, prevents others from registering a similar trademark, and creates an official record that may discourage other businesses from choosing a name similar to yours. Your company name is one of its most important assets. But your business can suffer if someone else starts using a similar name. Here are some steps you can take to protect your name. So you`ve decided on a legal structure for your new business – now what? The next step is to legally protect your brand to ensure that it remains a unique part of your company`s public image. Your brand is your company`s identity, so it`s important to secure it with a brand that prevents anyone from abusing your company`s name or branding. To obtain a trademark, you must file an application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). If you want to register as a sole proprietor, the official name of your business must be your first and last name. That is, you can trade under a different name, as long as you include your first and legal name on official documents.
Normally, you would do this by writing [your name] T/a [your business name]. So if you`re John Fitzpatrick but you`re trading as a magical bookstore, you`d write John Fitzpatrick T/a Magic Bookshop. T/a means “to act as”. What you choose as your business name is up to you. However, HMRC has some rules. In particular, your business name cannot: Obtaining a federally legal trademark prevents other companies from using your brand name. When you decide to partner, you have two options. You can use partner names as official names or choose a different name. However, you must include all the names of the partners on the official documents. As with sole proprietors, the choice of a business name is yours. But this is not possible: first of all, we must make a serious distinction. One between a legal name and a trade name.
The official name of your company is the official name. You should always use it on official documents such as contracts, invoices, and tax returns. In addition, the legal name of your business depends on the type of business structure you use. In some cases, this must be your first and last name. But even if you can choose another legal name, HMRC has rules you have to follow. On the other hand, a business name is a name familiar to your customers. The trade name can be with the official name of your company or completely different. You won`t be surprised to learn that HMRC also has rules for trade names.
Even if a search doesn`t allow other websites to find the name of the business you want, it doesn`t mean you can keep the name for your own use. Did you know that social media presents unique challenges when it comes to protecting your own intellectual property and making sure you don`t infringe on someone else`s? Follow best practices to prevent copyright infringement on social media. Consider protecting your names and trademarks by registering them. For example, if your name or trademark – whether words, logos, images, letters, shapes, sounds and smells, or a combination of these – distinguishes your goods or services from those of other companies, you can apply to the Intellectual Property Office for registration as a UK trademark. This gives you a monopoly on the use of your trademark with respect to the goods and services you specify in your application, which the courts will apply quickly and easily. Your company name means a lot. It identifies your brand. It means your reputation. And that`s how you know your loyal customers.
One of the best ways to protect your business name in your home state is to form a business entity such as a company or limited liability company. Want to know if your domain is available? Check now: To protect a company name, you can form a limited liability company via 1st Training with our “Reserve Company Name” package. Have you thought about the perfect business name for your business, only to do an online search and find that someone else is using it? Fortunately, just because you`ve found another website with the name doesn`t mean you can`t necessarily use it for your business. However, it is important to protect all of your company`s intellectual property, including the name. Otherwise, there can be chaos and confusion among consumers. This is especially true in the digital age, as most companies have their own websites. You want to make sure your customers and prospects land on your website and not on the domain of an independent company.
