A fictitious business name, often known as a DBA or doing business as, must be registered in California if you intend to operate a business under a name that excludes the owner’s last name. To let the public and government organizations know that you are doing business under a name other than your own, you must register a DBA. An instruction manual for registering a fictitious business name in California is provided below:
Step 1: Select a Name Selecting a name that is not being used by another company is the first step in registering a DBA. In order to avoid any potential legal concerns, it is crucial to select a name that is not too similar to another company name. By using the California Secretary of State’s Business Search tool, you may determine whether the name you have in mind is available.
Step 2: Submit the Statement of Fictitious Business Name
You must submit a Fictitious Business Name Statement to the county clerk’s office where your business is located once you have decided on a name. Additionally, you are required to print the statement once per week for four weeks in a newspaper with general circulation in the county where your firm is located. The required paperwork and instructions are available on the county clerk’s website.
Step 3: Pay the Filing charge
A fictitious business name statement’s filing charge ranges from $10 to $30, depending on the jurisdiction. The county clerk’s office accepts payments in person as well as online.
Renew the Fictitious Business Name Statement in Step Four Your Fictitious Business Name Statement must be updated every five years in order to remain valid. Before it expires, a notice of renewal will arrive in the mail. Should you register your DBA as a trademark?
Although it is not needed, trademarking your DBA might provide your company name more legal security. You have the sole right to use your company name in connection with the products or services you provide if you register a trademark. To safeguard your DBA across the country, you can submit a trademark application to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). How can I tell if the name I want for my company is already taken? To find out if your proposed business name is already in use, use the Business Search tool provided by the California Secretary of State. To determine if someone else has previously trademarked a name identical to yours, you should also search the USPTO’s Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS). Is a business license required in Missouri?
Yes, the majority of businesses in Missouri must apply for and receive a business license from the city or county where they are situated. You should check with your local government to find out what is required as the criteria and fees differ by area. What is the least expensive way to register a trademark? Using the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) of the USPTO to submit your application online is the least expensive approach to trademark your company name. For TEAS, there is a $250 filing fee each class of goods or services. It can be worthwhile to hire a lawyer or trademark agent to help you, nevertheless, if you are unfamiliar with the procedure for submitting a trademark application.
Copyright and filing for a fictitious business name registration are two distinct processes. The legal defense provided to original works of authorship, such as literary, artistic, and musical works, is known as copyright. On the other hand, a fake business name is a name used to conduct business that is distinct from the legal name of the firm owner or owners.
An original name that is connected to an original work is required for copyright protection. A fictional name or a company name cannot be protected by copyright. However, you can trademark a company name or logo to prevent others in the same industry from using it. A legal procedure and expenses are often involved in trademarking. For advice on how to register a name as a trademark, it is preferable to speak with an attorney or trademark expert.