When I start a new company with a fictitious name - where do I make sure, thans that name is not protected?

Question

Where can Ich look up other protected brand names and where can I register my own?

Answer 1

You need to do a name search. Any lawyer or business consultant can do this for you and get an immediate answer. You might try Google. All you need to do is put in the company name you want to use and see if it's already in use.

After you register your name, be sure to copyright it, then do another search before you use it. If you infringe on another party's registered trade name, he can sue you for everything you have earned by using his name.

You need to register you fictitious name with your Secretary of State. You file a UCC-1 to record the name you use. Then you do a UCC-11 to do a post-filing search to be sure your are not in conflict with another party.

You should probably set up a corporation or LLC. It's not expensive and will shield you from personal liability. Consider doing this in Nevada. It has the most business-friendly laws.

You also need to get a federal EID, a sales tax license, etc.

If this is the first time you have started a business, use a company that performs all the required services for you. There are a number of companies listed on the Internet. Just be sure you get one that's legit. LegalZoom.com is one of the better ones.

Good luck.

Answer 2

You should just do a search on the name you want and see if a company comes up.