How do I check to see if a business name is available?

How do I check to see if a business name is available?

In most states, the website of the state business filing agency includes an online entity name check tool. You can use the online tool to search business names and find out whether another business is already using the name you have chosen.

Can I use my personal name for business?

If you’re operating as a sole proprietorship (meaning you are running your business but you haven’t filed with your local government as an LLC or Corporation), you are legally obligated to use your given name in your business name. This is because you pay both your personal and business taxes as an individual.

Is my business legal name my name?

The legal name of a business is the official name of the person or entity that owns a business. If you are the only owner of your business, then its legal name is simply your full name. For limited partnerships, LLCs, and corporations, the legal name of the business is the name registered with the state filing office.

Can I have the same name as another business?

If a business name is already trademarked, you are prohibited from using it even if the company operates in a different state to yours. Essentially, if your name is likely to cause consumer confusion because it’s the same or like another business name, then you cannot use that name.

Can two businesses have the same name?

Can Two Companies Have the Same Name? Yes, however, certain requirements must be met in order for it to not constitutes trademark infringement and to determine which party is the rightful owner of the name.

Does my LLC name have to be the same as my business name?

Cannot match an existing LLC name – Your LLC name must be unique to your company and cannot be the same as one already registered with your State. Cannot contain words for other business entity types such as DBA, incorporated or corporation – which would be misleading to consumers.

What happens if two businesses have the same name?

Using the same name as another business will typically not be acceptable when: You sell different products or services but operate within the same industry as another company. The name is in use by a major national brand, regardless of industry. The other business registered for trademarks before you did.

What do you do if someone is using your business name?

If someone else is using the same business name, attempt to resolve the dispute by contacting the other business and negotiating a favourable outcome. If this approach is unsuccessful, you can enforce your rights by sending a cease and desist letter.

What happens if someone trademarks your business name?

If the other business has a trademark, the current owner can infringe upon this legal protection by using the same company name. If there is a trademark in place for his or her company and someone else created a new entity with the same name, this owner can pursue a legal claim and contact a lawyer for a legal remedy.

How can I check if a business name is available?

Check the availability of business names through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Though you can also check through your state’s Secretary of State’s office, the fact that the name is available at the state level doesn’t mean it’s available in any other state.

How do you find out if a business name is available?

The quickest and easiest way to check potential name availability is to simply go to your favorite search engine (like Google) and do an online business name search. You can check this name with a .com, or .org on the end to see if any business entity comes up or if there is a similar name out there that would be competing with your brand.

How do you check your business name?

Go to the website of your local Secretary of State. Look for a section of the website devoted to business. Usually, local governments keep official records of all businesses registered in the area, including their names.

How do you check if a company name exists?

To see if a specific company name exists and is trademarked, search for the name using the USPTO website’s electronic search system. This search is especially important because failure to check existing trademarks could result in charges of willful infringement of a company’s trademark rights.