Choosing a Company Name
Though selecting a name for your business can be great fun, there's more to it than simply coming up with something that sounds good to you. Local and state requirements may affect your choice-you need to avoid taking someone else's name. In addition, it is important to choose a name that will be memorable to people.
Legal Requirements and Implications
Choosing a name for your business requires much more than creativity and a working knowledge of your target market. First you'll need to decide which business structure you will use, since each structure has its own peculiarities. For example, many countries require a sole proprietor to use their own name for the business name unless they formally file another name as a trade name, or fictitious name.
Similarly, you will need to determine whether your trade name will be the same as the full legal name of your business. Of equal importance is finding out whether your name or a very similar name is being used by another business, and if so, what rights they may or may not have to use the name in the area where you do business. Keep in mind that some businesses only file trademarks within their locality, so it's possible that the same name can be used elsewhere.
Domain Names
For many businesses that operate on the Web, trade names are synonymous with domain names. Domain names are not registered through government; rather they can be obtained through numerous online businesses, most of which will allow you to conduct a name search prior to purchase to make sure your chosen name isn't taken.
References:
• Small Business Administration
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