{"id":583,"date":"2023-04-18T14:21:29","date_gmt":"2023-04-18T14:21:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.smallbizgenius.net\/?p=583"},"modified":"2023-06-19T12:02:08","modified_gmt":"2023-06-19T12:02:08","slug":"how-to-check-if-business-name-is-taken","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.smallbizgenius.net\/knowledge-base\/how-to-check-if-business-name-is-taken\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Check If a Business Name Is Taken"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When you\u2019re about to launch your company<\/a>, choosing a name is at the top of the list of tasks. However, to be safe, first you need to check that it doesn\u2019t violate any existing trademarks. If it does, you could face a lawsuit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, if there\u2019s a name you love, it would be a good idea to avoid creating any marketing materials or building a website<\/a> until you\u2019ve run it through a business name checker. Otherwise, you may have to rework everything, losing money in the process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this post, we discuss how to check if a business name is taken. You\u2019ll then learn how you can register your business name to protect it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ways To Find out if a Business Name Is Unavailable<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here are some methods for ascertaining if a business name is taken.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

State Business Name Search <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Each US state has an agency responsible for business filings that allows you to check if a business name is already in use. You either make a formal request using a form \u2013 the old-fashioned way \u2013 or you search its publicly available databases online. If you search online, it will take mere seconds to find out whether your company name is taken. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you find a name that is similar to yours, but not the same, you\u2019ll want to check your state\u2019s rules for what is acceptable, and what is not. For instance, you may not be allowed to register the name MacDonald\u2019s because it is too similar to McDonald\u2019s. As each state has slightly different rules, if in doubt, contact an attorney.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trademark Business Name Check<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Whenever companies create a new trademark, they add it to the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) register, which becomes searchable by anyone in the business community. A trademark business name check is a nationwide, federal-level check that allows you to see all of the current trademarks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019re most likely to run into trademark business name problems if:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. The company name is taken or similar to an existing company<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. You operate in a similar industry to a company with a similar name to yours<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    If you aren\u2019t sure whether the name resembles an existing firm\u2019s, then you will need to speak with a trademarking lawyer. They can provide you with further advice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Check the \u201cDoing Business As\u201d (DBA) Register<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Some states require businesses to register under a fictitious name with either the county or the city. Companies don\u2019t always use these names for customer-facing purposes, but they do for registration. As such, they often have common law rights to their fictitious names, so you will need to avoid using them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You can look for DBA name availability by checking DBA registrations. There might be businesses operating in the local area with names similar to the one that you want, even if they do not use them for their brand. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Google Search<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    While Google shouldn\u2019t be your primary means of checking business name availability, it can be a helpful tool. State and national registers may contain errors or incorrect details for some trademarks in operation. Some firms might also be using trademarks that they never registered. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Besides, you may simply wish to check what Google results come up when you type in your company name ideas. You may find, for instance, that: <\/p>\n\n\n\n