Set Up Your Business - in Minutes!
We have a DIY option you can use to save time and stress.We help you:
- Determine the best business structure
- File the right paperwork
- Stay compliant with the law
Prefer to work with a lawyer?Find one right now.
Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last reviewed September 21, 2022
This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw’s team of legal writers and attorneys and in accordance with our editorial standards.
The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area.
Naming a business can be a creative challenge, but it's worth the time to really explore potential names to maximize trademark protection and ensure that your name helps rather than hurts your business. For one, you want to make sure you're not using another company's trademark. Not only will it expose you to legal action, but changing business names can really set you back in terms of getting recognized by customers. And by not trademarking your name, you risk having your brand diluted by other uses of that name.
When naming your business, keep these three ideas in mind:
We make business formation EASY. Learn about our DIY business formation services here.
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) defines trademark as a word, phrase, symbol or design, or a combination of words, phrases, symbols or designs, that identifies and distinguishes the source of the goods of one party from those of others. A service mark is the same as a trademark, except that it identifies and distinguishes the source of a service rather than a product. Together, they may be referred to as "marks" generically.
Simply put, trademark protection gives you the exclusive rights to use a name. Having this protection is extremely important because it allows you to establish a brand and reputation for your business, separating you from your competitors. If someone tries to use a business name that is confusingly similar to your own trademarked name, you can prevent them from using that name and seek damages for any harm done.
To be protected, a trademark needs to be distinctive. There are many ways to be distinctive when naming a business. For example, a word may be fanciful (redbull for an energy drink), arbitrary in the context it is used (amazon for a bookseller), made up or purposely misspelled (google) or suggestive of the underlying product (slate for an online magazine).
Trademarks do not need to be registered to gain protection, they simply need to be used. Although registration with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is not required, it is advisable because it greatly strengthens your claim to a trademark if a dispute arises down the road.
Choosing a distinctive name that conveys what your business does without using generic terms can be very difficult, so here are a few ideas to get you started.
Make a list of existing businesses that you respect and see if they seem to have anything in common. Maybe they're all fanciful names, or maybe they're all more conservative names - either way it will give you an idea for what kind of name you prefer. Finally, don't choose anything too trendy, since your business name will still need to sound good in twenty years.
An attorney may not help you come up with the perfect name for your company, but you may need professional legal help when securing a trademark or protecting your brand. If you need help navigating the often-complicated world of trademark law while starting your business, consider speaking with a trademark attorney or business and commercial lawyer for expert advice.
See FindLaw's Choosing Your Business Name and Trademarks sections for more articles and resources to help you get started. And when you are ready to start your business legally, use our simple DIY formation process.
Was this helpful?
Contact a qualified business attorney to help you navigate the process of starting a business.
We have a DIY option you can use to save time and stress.We help you:
Prefer to work with a lawyer?Find one right now.