do i need to trademark my business name uk

#Do i need to trademark my business name uk registration#
#Do i need to trademark my business name uk professional#

#Do i need to trademark my business name uk professional#

Whichever of the four UK nations you live in, you apply to that listed professional organisation. One part of the regulations applies to the whole of the UK. The legislation even specifies that this includes the “plural, possessive and (where relevant) feminine forms” of the words, as well as the Welsh or Gaelic equivalents. Government departments call them “sensitive words and expressions.” There is a published list called ‘ The Company, Limited Liability Partnership and Business Names (Sensitive Words and Expressions) Regulations 2014.’ This lists all the restricted words and expressions, and the bodies you need to apply to for permission to use them in your business.įor example, you must get permission from the Financial Conduct Authority to use the words ‘insurer’ or ‘insurance’ in your company name. There are some words and phrases that you need permission to use. But if your potential business name is bordering on the cusp of ‘adult humour,’ the chances are that Companies House won’t allow it. Consider your customers: Will they all get the joke?Ī satisfying pun, or cheeky play on words might be a great idea to make you stand out from your competition. For example, Laurel and Hardy, and Family Guy are both funny-in very different ways. Using swear words, religious profanities, or discriminatory language is an unlikely choice for most business owners.īut some people almost step over the boundaries by trying to have a funny company name. You will not be allowed to register a name with Companies House if it contains offensive language. If someone complained about your name being ‘too like’ theirs, and Companies House upheld their opinion, you’d have to change it. HMRC’s example is: ‘Easy Electrics For You Ltd’ and ‘EZ Electrix 4U Ltd.’ These would be considered ‘too like.’

Names that are ‘too like’ other registered companies won’t be allowed. The only other circumstance where your company name can be in the ‘same as’ category is if your business is part of that company or LLP. You’ll only be allowed to use a ‘same as’ name if the limited company, or limited liability partnership (LLP), has given you written permission. A character or word that looks like, or has similar meaning to, an existing name that’s already registered.A word or character commonly found in UK company names.Using special characteristics, like a ‘+’ instead of ‘and’.It also means those with only slight points of difference, such as: This doesn’t just mean another limited company with exactly the same name. The government name check tool may tell you that your suggested company name is the ‘same as’ another existing company.

There are a few, easily avoidable hitches to your choice of company name. What Problems Might There Be With My Suggested Name? You just type in your proposed company title and the tool will tell you if there are any problems. You need to make sure that your company name isn’t taken by a different business and isn’t already trademarked by someone else.Ĭompanies House has a free, simple tool called the Company Name Availability Checker. Because, if it breaks one of the regulations, your whole submission will be rejected and you’ll have to start at the beginning again.

#Do i need to trademark my business name uk registration#

It’s very important to get this right before you start the registration process. How Much Does It Cost to Register My Business Name in the UK? Choosing Your Company Name How Do I Set up a Business Name in the UK? If I Register With Companies House, Does That Mean I’m Trademarked?ĭo I Need to Register a Trading Name in the UK? Registering a company in the UK begins with one question: What’s it called? Choosing a title for your company isn’t quite as straightforward as you might first imagine. How exciting! You’ve decided to register your business! This is a big step to take and we’ve got all the details you need about choosing your business name. Send invoices, track time, manage payments, and more…from anywhere. Set clear expectations with clients and organize your plans for each projectĬlient management made easy, with client info all in one placeįreshBooks integrates with over 100 partners to help you simplify your workflows Track project status and collaborate with clients and team members Tax time and business health reports keep you informed and tax-time ready Reports and tools to track money in and out, so you know where you standĮasily log expenses and receipts to ensure your books are always tax-time ready Quick and easy online, recurring, and invoice-free payment optionsĪutomated, to accurately track time and easily log billable hours Wow clients with professional invoices that take seconds to create