This question is often asked by people looking to set up their own business.  It may be that they have a business venture in mind that they have a name for but aren’t ready to start trading yet. Or it could simply be that a person does not want somebody else to take the same business name as themselves.

It is relatively straightforward to protect your business name; the simplest way of doing so is registering your company with Companies House. This will remove the option of somebody else incorporating a company with the same name. Once your company is registered you have no obligation to actually start trading so your company can remain dormant until you are ready to do so. This is an option some sole traders use to protect their name, or people who are not ready to begin trading but have a name in mind. Although this method is common and does stop people from registering a company with your name, it does not stop them from trading with the same name so is not technically complete protection.

If you want complete protection of your business name it can be quite difficult. Anybody can have their trade name as whatever they like. Your official business name and the name you trade as could be two completely different things, therefore making it rather difficult to obtain complete protection. Applying for a registered trademark would give your business name more protection and would give you the means of taking legal action against anyone using the same name as yourselves.

If you would like any further information then please do not hesitate to phone or email us, or alternatively, you can simply use the live chat link available.

Want to learn more?

Subscribe to our newsletter to get accounting tips like this right to your inbox

About The Author

Lee Murphy

MAAT and ICPA accountant, with a passion for making accountancy and bookkeeping accessible. Other interests include cloud-based software development for web and mobile access, keeping fit, reading, and entrepreneurship.

More posts by this author