How to See if a Business Name is Taken

Starting your own business can be tough, and you might have spent months or even years coming up with the perfect name. What you don’t want to do is find out after the fact that someone else has already taken it—not only does this waste time and energy, but it also means you’ll have to come up with another name at the last minute. Thankfully, you can use this quick search tool to see if your business name has been registered with the government, or if there are any trademarks associated with it. Types of Trademarks A trademark is a name, symbol or phrase that distinguishes a particular company from others in its field. There are several kinds of trademarks, including registered and unregistered marks. You can submit an application to register your mark with your state’s Secretary of State. Federal registration with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is also available; it offers protection nationwide. You may choose to register either as a stylized or descriptive mark. Be sure...