How to Search for an Available Business Name
- 1). Write down a list of potential business names for your business. Before you can find available names, you need to have an idea what you will call your business. The object is to compare your name ideas with existing business names to determine if your business name is available. Having several names in advance will give you options if you run into registered business names.
- 2). Type your business names into a search engine. This is a quick test to get a feel for the availability of the names you've selected. The Internet offers worldwide access. Chances are, if one of the names you've chosen already exists, it will come up in an online search. This doesn't necessarily mean you won't be able to use the name you've selected. Except in the case of registered trademarks, such as McDonald's, a name is not subject to copyright. If your business is substantially different than a business with the same name, you may still be able to use the name. It depends upon trademark status.
- 3). Search the United States Patent and Trademark website as well as the website for the secretary of state website for your state (see Resources). These two sources have specific search features and will help you determine if a business name is registered as a trademark or is in use at all. If no results appear for your search, it's likely the business name is clear and can be registered by you.
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