How can I make my organisation (not a for-profit organisation) officail?

Question

For example, copyright its name, etc...

Answer 1

1. You could protect the name by registering it as a trade mark (proprietor's name).
2. If you make your organisation a limited company (in your case either a company limited by guarantee, or possibly a community interest company) then Companies House will ensure that subsequent registering companies do not use your name or anything too similar.
3. Registration as a charity will not actually protect your organisation's name. You will find that its principal benefits relate to business rates and seeking grants. It is not that complicated really.

Answer 2

ok, If you are a charity you should register with the charities commission. If you don;t technically fall in the bounds of a charity, but don;t make a profit on what you do - because it is all ploughed back into the cause - you need to set up a company limited by guarantee. A local firm of accountants should be able to do this for you for about £200. You will then have a legal entity name registered at companies house, which will prevent others from registering companies with the same name. You could also consider registering for a trademark - but this is more difficult - as you have to prove that (1) the name is not generic (eg, I know these are bad examples, but "cooker, car, oven, paint, etc" or simply your or someone else's names. It has to be original and not already registered- but if you do succeed - see the patent office website - cost of registering is abou £700 - you will be able to sue others for trademark infringement if they use your name in the same area of business or interest. Hope this helps!

Answer 3

You mean trademark the name... that is easy .. go here to trademark the name:
http://www.uspto.gov/main/trademarks.htm

its going to cost about $375.00

To form a legal organization you will need to go to your state's Secretary of State and file as a Non-profit Corporation..
for example in Colorado:
http://www.sos.state.co.us/biz/FileDoc.do

That is OK to this point, BUT if you want to give tax deductible receipts to those who donate you will need to get that status from the IRS .. THAT is a lot more difficult ...

You can do some of this yourself, but some areas really require people experienced in this. I would recommend consult an attorney who specializes in non-profit organizations if you want the legal aspects done right

Answer 4

If you invent a brand new name is it your copyright or if you do as at the specific request of the committee then the copyright of that word or words is theirs. Other than that it is very difficult to copyright a name. You can register it as a charity if it is one but that is bit complicated or make it a limited company at companies house