Does your company name already exist? The same name is sometimes possible
Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2025 5:33 am
Introduction
Coming up with a company name is not easy. The name has to last for years, it has to fit your product or service and ideally it has to fit your core values. It is therefore very annoying when, after a long search, you have finally found the perfect name and it turns out that the company name already exists. What should you do then? And are there still options if your name is already in use?
What if your company name is already in use?
Of course, your checks may reveal that your dream company name is already in use. Too bad, but no reason to despair right away and start brainstorming for a new name. There are several exceptions canada mobile numbers list where you can still use an existing brand or company name. In those cases, pay extra attention to the availability of the domain name you want, because chances are that it is already in use.
When is it okay to use your company name anyway?
1. If there can be no confusion
If there can be no confusion between your company and the company with the same name, using the same name is usually no big deal. As long as customers can clearly tell the two companies apart, there's nothing to worry about. If that distinction is not clear, there is a good chance of legal confusion. Pay very close attention to this, because confusion can easily arise, especially if you offer the same or similar products or services as your competitor. In doing so, you could be taking advantage of that company's name recognition, which could cost that company customers.
2. If you are in a different industry
Using a company name that already exists does not have to be a problem if you operate in a different industry than the company using the same name. The Chamber of Commerce provides insight into which industry the company with the same name operates in. If you want to start using the same company name in a different industry, in principle this is not a problem.
Coming up with a company name is not easy. The name has to last for years, it has to fit your product or service and ideally it has to fit your core values. It is therefore very annoying when, after a long search, you have finally found the perfect name and it turns out that the company name already exists. What should you do then? And are there still options if your name is already in use?
What if your company name is already in use?
Of course, your checks may reveal that your dream company name is already in use. Too bad, but no reason to despair right away and start brainstorming for a new name. There are several exceptions canada mobile numbers list where you can still use an existing brand or company name. In those cases, pay extra attention to the availability of the domain name you want, because chances are that it is already in use.
When is it okay to use your company name anyway?
1. If there can be no confusion
If there can be no confusion between your company and the company with the same name, using the same name is usually no big deal. As long as customers can clearly tell the two companies apart, there's nothing to worry about. If that distinction is not clear, there is a good chance of legal confusion. Pay very close attention to this, because confusion can easily arise, especially if you offer the same or similar products or services as your competitor. In doing so, you could be taking advantage of that company's name recognition, which could cost that company customers.
2. If you are in a different industry
Using a company name that already exists does not have to be a problem if you operate in a different industry than the company using the same name. The Chamber of Commerce provides insight into which industry the company with the same name operates in. If you want to start using the same company name in a different industry, in principle this is not a problem.