2006-07-06 13:55:23 · 7 answers · asked by Jeremy B 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Small Business
If you are going to incorporate, you have to check with the corporations division office of the secretary of state in the state you want to incorporate. Several states have a name lookup and reservation function available on their web site, but you didn't mention what state you are in.
If you aren't incorporating, you can file a DBA with the secretary of state. That's a little less restrictive. In either case, the big thing is you won't be able to open a resteraunt named McDonalds, or a hardware store named Ace Hardware. The intent is that the public can tell they are doing business with a different company.
2006-07-06 14:00:50 · answer #1 · answered by cliffinutah 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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.
Comprehensive research consists of looking at marks that are similar in Sound, Appearance or Meaning in the pending & registered Federal AND State trademark files as well as the US National Common-Law files.
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!
2006-07-07 16:41:42 · answer #2 · answered by TM Express™ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to http://www.godaddy.com and do searches for domain names. Find the one you like, buy it and then register your local dba followed by submitting the name and a logo to the US Patent Office.
Go for it!
Rebecca
http://www.ipowergrfx.com
http://www.publicadjuster.com
2006-07-06 21:02:37 · answer #3 · answered by Rebecca 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
These days web searches are simply great for that .. if there is a company out there with your name that you can't google .. well .. scew 'em.
2006-07-06 20:59:14 · answer #4 · answered by sam21462 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
google it. call your local small business administration too. Good luck!
2006-07-06 21:04:15 · answer #5 · answered by citizen ex 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
internet used small biz names yahoo it
2006-07-06 20:59:34 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
look in the phone book
2006-07-06 21:00:25 · answer #7 · answered by bootylicious_1baby 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋