The Daily Insight
updates /

What is it called when you buy your business name?

Trademark. A trademark can protect the name of your business, goods, and services at a national level. Trademarks prevent others in the same (or similar) industry in the United States from using your trademarked names.

Can you put company after your business name?

You can only use the word “company” in your business name if your business is a corporation.

What if my business name already exists?

A trademarked name is protected on a national basis. If a company name already exists as a trademark, you can’t use it even if the company doesn’t operate in your state. To see if a specific company name exists and is trademarked, search for the name using the USPTO website’s electronic search system.

Can you change the name of a business after you buy it?

One requires abandoning the original business name entirely while the other maintains the original name and creates a new one for marketing purposes (such as for a new product line). By filing a document called “Articles of Amendment,” an LLC or corporation can request to change the name of the business.

How do you own the rights to a business name?

Registering a trademark for a company name is pretty straightforward. Many businesses can file an application online in less than 90 minutes, without a lawyer’s help. The simplest way to register is on the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s Web site,

How hard is it to change a business name?

Whatever the reason, you can easily change your LLC’s name by filing paperwork with your state agency that handles business filings. The most difficult and time-consuming part of an LLC name change is altering your LLC’s name on all your business accounts, contracts and marketing materials.

Can I use the word bank in my business name?

Most states will not allow a business to: Use a word that implies a company is a government entity (e.g., Federal, United States, etc.). Use words like “bank,” “trust,” or “insurance,” unless legally authorized to operate as such by the appropriate government agency.

Can I put the word “company” in my business name? You can only use the word “company” in your business name if your business is a corporation.

By filing a document called “Articles of Amendment,” an LLC or corporation can request to change the name of the business. When approved, it means your company will operate under its new name. (Generally, applying for a new EIN won’t be necessary when changing a business name, but it’s best to check to make sure.)

Can you sell a business without the name?

To clarify, this means unless the business name is protected under local, state, or federal law, a business owner has no authority to sell it and gain a financial profit.

What is the difference between a business name and a trade name?

A legal name is the name of a person or entity that owns a business. A legal name must be registered with a state government and includes a legal ending, such as an LLC or LLP, after the title. A trade name is generally considered the name a business uses for advertising and sales purposes.

What’s the best way to create a business name?

Here are a few name generators to help spur ideas: Business Name Generator by Shopify: Shopify has put together a name generator that can help bust through those creative blocks. It creates your business name by combining keywords with other support words to help generate a list.

What happens when you pick a business name?

As mentioned above, there’s a chance you’ll pick what you think is the perfect name only to find a competitor, or even a totally unrelated business, is already using it. If you go ahead with another company’s name, even if the company is in another state and unrelated to your own, you may be liable for trademark infringement.

How to choose a good procurement company name?

With our expert research skills, we have gathered together a collection of available .com domain addresses for you to make your selection from. These unique names are short, easy to remember, and come with a well-designed logo for use on all your advertising and paperwork.

Do you have to have a legal name for your business?

Depending on your business structure and location, the state may require you to register a legal entity name. Your entity name is how the state identifies your business. Each state may have different rules about what your entity name can be and usage of company suffixes.