Does a Business Name Expire?

Does a business name expire?
If your Business Name is not renewed, it will expire and become available for anyone to register. If you don’t want to renew your registration, you don’t need to do anything.

Choosing a name for your company is one of the first steps in creating one. However, a lot of people ponder whether a company name can expire. No, a company name does not lose its validity. Your company name is yours for as long as you use it once you have registered it. However, there are some situations in which you might need to modify your company name.

If your company name gets stale or irrelevant, for example, you may need to change it. For instance, if you founded a company selling VHS tapes and called it “VHS World,” you’d probably want to modify it to something more modern like “Streaming Solutions.”

If your company name starts to generate bad press, that’s another reason you might need to replace it. For instance, if the name of your company was “Harvey Weinstein Productions,” you’d probably want to modify it to something unrelated to the disgraced Hollywood tycoon.

Is a Trading Name Suitable?

You might be eligible to file a lawsuit for trademark infringement if another company is using a name that is the same as or very similar to your trading name. However, in order to win a lawsuit, you would have to demonstrate that your trading name is protected by a trademark and that the other company’s use of the name is confusing customers.

Can Two Companies Use the Same Trading Name, Also?

Even if two businesses are engaged in separate commercial endeavors or reside in different parts of the world, they can share a trading name. However, two businesses cannot share the same trading name if they are active in the same sector and region. This is because it can result in trademark infringement and confuse consumers.

Can You Have More Than One Trading Name, Then?

You may use different trading names for your company, yes. This can be helpful if you wish to operate in many industries or target various consumer segments. However, you must register each trading name separately and confirm that no other company is already using it. How Can I Freely Copyright a Name?

A name cannot be protected by copyright. But you can file a trademark application for your company name. You must submit a trademark application to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in order to achieve this. A trademark application starts at $225 for each category of products or services. You will have the sole right to use your trademark in connection with your goods or services once it has been registered.

In conclusion, a business name is perpetual, but there are several situations in which you might need to modify it. If another company is using a name that is the same as or similar to your trading name, you may file a lawsuit for trademark infringement. Even if two businesses are engaged in separate commercial endeavors or reside in different parts of the world, they can share a trading name. You are permitted to use more than one trading name for your company, but you must register each name separately. Finally, while you cannot register a trademark for your company name, you can copyright a name for free.

FAQ
Can you trademark a name without a business?

You can trademark a name even if you don’t have a company. Any person or organization that really intends to utilize the trademark in commerce may register their trademark. This implies that even if you don’t currently run a business, you can still apply for a trademark if you have a name or logo that you intend to use as a brand for products or services in the future. It is crucial to remember that before the registration may become permanent, the USPTO will demand proof of the trademark’s actual usage in commerce.

Can I copyright my name?

Your name cannot be protected by copyright. Although names and brief phrases are not protected by copyright law, original works of authorship like literary, theatrical, musical, and artistic works are. You might be able to register your company name as a trademark, which would give you legal protection against other people using the same or a similar name for products or services that are comparable to yours.

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