How To Make My Business Name Legal

Reading Time: 7 minutes

When starting a business, one of the first things you need to do is choose a name. The name you choose will be the name of your business forever, so it’s important to make sure it’s legal.

There are a few things you need to check before settling on a name. Firstly, make sure the name isn’t already taken by another business. You can do a quick search on the Australian Business Register (ABR) to see if the name is already in use.

If the name is available, make sure it’s not too similar to an existing business name. You don’t want to cause any confusion for customers.

You also need to make sure the name is appropriate for your business. For example, you can’t choose a name that’s obscene or offensive.

Once you’ve settled on a name, you need to make sure it’s registered with the appropriate authorities. In Australia, this is the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). You can register the name online or by post.

There’s a small fee associated with registering a business name, but it’s worth it to make sure your business is legally protected.

If you want to change your business name at some point, you’ll need to register the new name with ASIC as well.

Choosing a business name can be a daunting task, but following these steps will help make sure your name is legal and protected.

Table of Contents

How do you secure a business name?

When starting a business, one of the first things you need to do is secure a business name. This is important because it will be the name of your company and the name customers will use to identify your products or services. Securing your business name is not difficult, but there are a few things you need to do to make sure it is protected.

The first step is to check to see if the name is already taken. You can do this by checking the trademark database or by doing a search online. If the name is already taken, you may be able to get a trademark for it, but you will need to do some research to make sure it is available.

The next step is to register your business name with the state. This is usually a quick and easy process, and it will help protect your name from being used by other businesses in your state.

Finally, you should add a copyright notice to your website and any other materials you produce. This will help protect your name from being used by other businesses online.

By taking these steps, you can protect your business name and make sure it is only used by your company.

Can I name my business anything?

When it comes to starting a business, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is what to name it. Choosing the right name is essential to creating a successful brand, and it can be difficult to come up with the perfect name that’s also available.

So can you name your business anything you want? The answer is…it depends. There are a few things to consider when naming your business, and the most important one is whether the name is available to use. You’ll need to make sure the name isn’t already taken by another business, and you may also need to check with your state to see if there are any restrictions on business names.

Another thing to consider is trademark protection. If you want to trademark your business name, you’ll need to make sure it’s not already taken. You can search the USPTO trademark database to see if your name is available.

Ultimately, the decision of whether you can name your business anything you want is up to you and depends on a variety of factors. So do your research and make sure you choose a name that’s right for your business.

Should I trademark or copyright my business name?

When starting a business, one of the first things to consider is what to name it. This decision is important, as the name will be the face of the company and represent it to the world.

There are two main ways to protect a business name: trademarking or copyrighting. Here’s a look at the differences between the two:

Trademarking a name gives the owner exclusive rights to use that name in connection with the products or services offered by the company. It also allows the owner to sue anyone who uses the name without permission in order to protect the company’s reputation.

Copyrighting a name, on the other hand, protects the name from being used by someone else for the same purpose. It does not give the owner exclusive rights to the name, but it does ensure that no one else can use the name for the same products or services without permission.

Which option is right for you depends on a number of factors, such as the type of business you have, how well-known the name is, and the budget you have available.

If you decide to trademark your name, you’ll need to file an application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The application will need to include the proposed name of the business, the products or services it offers, and a description of how the name is used in connection with those products or services.

The USPTO will then review the application and decide whether to approve it. If the name is already in use or is too similar to another name, the application may be denied.

It’s important to note that trademarking a name is not a quick or easy process. The application can take months (or even years) to be approved, and it can be expensive, too.

What is considered a business legal name?

A business legal name is the name under which a business is registered with the state. The name must be distinguishable from the names of other businesses in the state. The name can be a trade name, fictitious name, or corporate name.

A trade name is the name of the business, such as Joe’s Home Repair. A fictitious name is a name used by a business that is different from the name of the business owner, such as John’s Home Repair. A corporate name is the name of a corporation, such as ABC Corporation.

To register a business name, the business owner must file a trade name registration with the state. The trade name registration will be the name of the business that is listed on the state business registry.

How do I stop someone from stealing my business name?

There are a few things you can do to help protect your business name from being stolen. Here are a few tips:

1. Register your business name with the government. This will help to protect your name from being stolen by other businesses.

2. Use a trademark symbol with your business name. This will help to indicate that your name is trademarked and that others cannot use it without permission.

3. Create a website and social media pages for your business. This will help to build online presence and make it more difficult for someone to steal your name.

4. Keep your business name confidential. Do not share it with anyone who is not authorized to use it.

5. Monitor the internet for any unauthorized use of your business name. If you find someone using your name without permission, take steps to protect your trademark and enforce your rights.

Can someone steal your business name?

Your business name is one of the most important pieces of your branding. It’s the first thing customers see and it’s how they identify your company. So, can someone else steal your business name and put their own business in its place?

The answer is: it depends.

There are a few things to consider when it comes to someone stealing your business name. The first is whether or not the name is trademarked. If it is, then the thief would be infringing on your trademark and you could take legal action. However, if the name is not trademarked, then you would have to rely on common law rights to protect your name.

Common law rights are based on use of a name in the marketplace. In order to establish common law rights, you would need to show that you’ve been using the name in connection with your business and that the name is distinctive. If you can do that, then you would be able to stop the thief from using the name.

It’s important to note that common law rights are not as strong as trademark rights, so they may not be enough to stop the thief completely. Additionally, if the thief is using a similar name but not infringing on your trademark, you may not be able to do anything about it.

So, can someone steal your business name? It depends on a few factors, but in most cases, you can take some action to protect your brand.

What words Cannot be used in a business name?

When starting a business, it’s important to choose a name that is both unique and memorable. However, there are some words that cannot be used in a business name due to trademark restrictions.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is responsible for regulating trademarks and preventing trademark infringement. According to the USPTO, there are certain words that cannot be used in a trademark because they are either too generic or too descriptive.

For example, the word “apple” cannot be used in a trademark because it is too generic. Similarly, the word “trademark” cannot be used in a trademark because it is too descriptive.

There are also a number of words that are considered offensive or profane and cannot be used in a trademark. For example, the words “fuck” and “shit” are not allowed.

There are also a number of words that are restricted due to state law. For example, the word “bank” is restricted in California due to the state’s banking regulations.

In addition to these restrictions, there are also a number of words that are trademarked and cannot be used by anyone else. For example, the word “Kleenex” is trademarked and cannot be used by anyone else.

When choosing a business name, it’s important to do your research to make sure that the name is not trademarked or restricted by state law.

How To Make My Business Name Legal10 min read