2006-06-13 16:18:55 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Visual Arts ➔ Photography
It goes state by state, some states have web sites on which you can check on your desired name. With others, you have to fill out a form and pay a fee and they search their records,.
2006-06-13 16:23:12 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This entails searching the pending & registered Federal and State trademark files as well as the US National Common-Law files. Then, if clear, you can decide if you would like to file for a Federal or a State trademark.
Research is needed to make sure your trade name is legally available, before opening, before expansion, before incorporation or before designing your logo. Similarities in sound, appearance and meaning affect you too!
There are 16+ million trade names in use in the United States. Similar names matter, if close in sound, appearance or meaning. Similar names in related classes, distribution channels and customer matter too. You are affected by Common Law use (14 million), State Trademarks (500,000) and Federal Trademarks (2 million).
I listed some links where you can do some preliminary name checking. However, please be aware that this is merely scratching the surface of what's out there. Only comprehensive research will tell you if the name is truly available. But, these links are free & a great place to start, so I'd try them out first.
There are other sites that offer free searching capabilities in conjunction with their commercial services, so I'm not able to post those links due to the Yahoo! TOS. You'll also want to check domain names & yellow pages, so simply do a search for "free domain name search" and "national yellowpages" and the appropriate links will pop up.
Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!
2006-06-14 05:36:19 · answer #2 · answered by TM Express™ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are a handful of different ways
1) Contact the Better Business Berau (www.bbb.com)
2) Check an online yellow pages directory (www.yellowpages.com)
3) Google the name itself (or search on Yahoo!)
4) Check the Busines Registry Business name Search http://egov.sos.state.or.us/br/pkg_web_name_srch_inq.login
2006-06-14 03:04:08 · answer #3 · answered by Ipshwitz 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You make an application for that business name with the secretary of state of the state you are in. If you use a name that is already registered you can get into a heap of trouble.
2006-06-13 16:23:14 · answer #4 · answered by nolasignguy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Better Business Bureau usually has info.
2006-06-13 16:21:41 · answer #5 · answered by Becky 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can go to your city's hall of records and check it out. Usually while applying for a ficticious name, you will be asked to give several choices before applying for it.
2006-06-13 16:27:21 · answer #6 · answered by smiling cutie pie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
contact the state business office and find a list of copyrighted names.
2006-06-13 16:22:05 · answer #7 · answered by SolMan 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In Indiana, you can check at the Secretary of State site at this link:
https://secure.in.gov/sos/bus_service/online_corps/name_search.aspx
I don't know if it covers other states or not.
2006-06-13 16:24:32 · answer #8 · answered by Rob K 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
google it
or go to city hall and ask the business dept
2006-06-13 16:36:57 · answer #9 · answered by nk_rso 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
google it
2006-06-13 16:21:13 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋