Input on National Regulations for Naming a Business? - Virtual Assistant Forums

helpyoumarket · #1 (**permalink**) 10-13-2008

Does anyone know anything about the laws as far as naming a company goes? If you find a name that you like and it is being used by another company in another state for a different kind of business, and does not have a federal TM can you use the name? What do you think of using a name that has a pretty significant web presence but is not used for anything similar to your field and is not registered in your state?
When searching names on the web just about any name you come up with seems to be used over and over again so how do you come up with a dynamic name that is original?

mwanje1103 · #2 (**permalink**) 12-04-2008

Where i come from you have to apply for that business name through the registrar of companies. Of course there are also trademark, copyright and patent laws in place that guard your business name.

Rebecka Melson · #3 (**permalink**) 12-05-2008

You have to register your business name in the State your in, as long as its available in your State you can use it.