National Business Register? [Archive]

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Biznewbie

16th June 2005, 12:56

Hi, a year ago I registered my name with the National Business Register, but I wonder if it's a wise move?

It's about £70 a year, and they claim to protect your name in the sense of backing a court case if need be if someone else in a similar field uses your name ...but little things don't add up, and I wondered what other people felt?

There were some simple spelling and grammar mistakes on the form I received a year ago that made me wonder .... and they also seem to be doing domain name registration, website design, and can help you get conusmer credit amongst other things which is quite a range of activities to be undertaking ... plus they'll remove my business name from their Register if I don't renew and I'm thinkings so what? there seems to be no legal requirement for me to register a business name anywhere, they're implying that removal is somehow bad for me and I'm not sure that it is ...

In short, how DO I protect my business name, is it worth trying to trademark it or what?

Many thanks,

Biznewbie

Claire B

16th June 2005, 22:00

Hi,

I run a catering company up in Bonny Scotland and have also had some dealings with the National Business Register (don't you just love the way they answer the phone as 'Somerset House' - trying to make themselves sound all official)

They basically allowed a competitor of mine to register as a Limited Company using the same name as me, when I was already trading under that name. It did give me a fright and they are quick to send out a few official sounding threatening letters, but basically they didn't have a leg to stand on.

I referred the whole matter onto my solicitor who was so outraged that they even did a little bit of pro-bono work for me because they felt that the NBR were resorting to bullying tactics.

My advise to you if you want to register as a LTD Co is to either do it yourself or get a solicitor to do it for you. However, registering as a LTD Co won't necessarily protect your business name (so don't bother to do it at all if this is your only reason), the only way to truly protect your name is by registering the trademark.

Good luck

Ozzy

17th June 2005, 11:38

Hi Biznewbie,
The only truly reliable way to protect your company name is to registere it as a trademark, and doing so you need to set aside anything from £600 upwards. It then needs renewing every 10 years.

There is a member on here called Crossguard who should be able to help you with this.

I cannot comment on what National Business Registers offering is because I don't know what it includes, but it does not sound like a trademark registration so cant see how it would "protect" your name.

MikeH

17th June 2005, 16:07

Unfortunatley there are too many companies/organisations around that will take money for nothing. We have come across this type of name registration rip off in the past. Do not use any type of register to protect a name, and as discussed above a trademark is the only real way of protecting your name.

In addition their are many companies that use the Companies House register as a mailing list. Following incorporation there are many firms that send out important looking letters about name registration, data protection registration, directory inclusion, domain name protection etc. My advice is do not use these people. They prey on peoples insecurities and lack of knowledge.

Mike.

Crossguard

17th June 2005, 21:27

The National Business Register is a complete and utter waste of money. You can achieve a better effect by keeping proper records of your use of a name or logo, which you should do anyway.

The only effective method of protecting your business or product identity is by trade mark registration.

I would be happy to give free initial advice without commitment to anyone who would like more information.

We have a comprehensive free digital guide worth £100 which can be sent to anyone with broadband (it's about a 500k file), and also various factsheets which can be emailed to anybody.

Claire B

20th June 2005, 15:35

Hi Crossguard, i would be interested in any information you have. I have just applied to register my trademark but have a long wait ahead of me to see if it will be accepted.

One of the reasons why I registered it, is because I have a competitor using the same name as me. I understand that once registered, I will have the automatic right to sue for infringement, but I am pretty sure that my competitors won't give a dam about this (they are a pretty nasty bunch).

I'm wondering how I go about suing them (will it cost me to do so for example) and if I can make them liable for any costs that I incur as a result of legal action.

Any advice?

Many thanks
Claire

Crossguard

20th June 2005, 15:39

Claire, the best thing is if you could give me a call so I can talk things through with you.

Toon

20th June 2005, 16:53

I'm sure I heard about this last year and it was in fact a scam!

Crossguard

20th June 2005, 17:19

Yes, Toon, it's a complete waste of money.

Toon

20th June 2005, 21:49

Yes, Toon, it's a complete waste of money.

No, I mean I heard something similar to this was fraud. The company would send details saying that you had to register and include payment when really you didn't have to.

MikeH

21st June 2005, 09:32

Hi Toon, I have seen this type of scam but in relation to the Data Protection Act. You form a company and within days you get an official looking letter requesting payment for £85 (I think). They are not the official government organisation and charge way too much for registering.

Mike.

Ozzy

21st June 2005, 10:31

Didn't I hear that someone has just been sent to prison for their part in the DPA scam?

MikeH

21st June 2005, 10:45

Really? I hope so as there are too many companies out there that target newly formed companies and business start-ups.

Raechelle

11th August 2005, 11:04