I have an idea for a name for a new company of mine. How do I find out if someone is using it already? How do I squat on the name? I realize registering the domain name is one way or searching for it. But I want to know if there is some site or search I can do to find out for sure.
2006-08-06 15:01:48 · 3 answers · asked by x98lbwuss 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Small Business
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!
2006-08-07 03:35:04 · answer #1 · answered by TM Express™ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The US Patent and Trademark Office has an online database called Trademark Electronic Search System(Tess) that you can use to search for trademarks and whether the planned name is already in use http://tess2.uspto.gov/bin/gate.exe?f=tess&state=4jn7c7.1.1
2006-08-06 22:04:05 · answer #2 · answered by imisidro 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can check to see if a name is trademarked on the TESS database on www.uspto.gov
2006-08-06 22:05:07 · answer #3 · answered by Lindsey 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋