2006-06-13 20:47:15 · 2 answers · asked by mr lovebeat 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Small Business
To protect your name would mean filing for a trademark.
To register a trademark, contact either your Secretary of State for a State trademark or the US Patent & Trademark Office for a Federal trademark.
If you are only conducting business in one state, then a State trademark is most appropriate. If you conduct business in at least 2 states OR between the US & any other country, you can file for a Federal trademark.
Prior to investing your time, money & effort into a name, it is strongly advised that comprehensive research be conducted to ensure that the name you're interested in is truly available.
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 wish you much success & happiness in all your endeavors!
2006-06-14 05:34:40 · answer #1 · answered by TM Express™ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can have it copyrighted.you could probably find out how on the internet.good luck with your business!
2006-06-14 03:53:48 · answer #2 · answered by crowjr 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋