Business Name

[Empet14]

Hi All

I've come across this website and seen that you all have some good advice so am hoping you could help me with a query I have regarding a business neame.

I am looking to set up a small business and am currently trying to find a name. I have a name in mind, but there is a company in America with the same name. The name is completely random and nothing to do with what their business is or what mine will be (think along the lines of electric elephant !!). There is no name regitered in the name at Comapnies House and the domain for 'companyname'.co.uk is available. Will I be alright to use it ? It's just with the internet these days the whole world is accessible, although I imagine we can't all have something individual and unique !

Any advise would be very much appreciated.

Thanks,
Em

 

[BizGurl]

I can't see it being a problem if they're based in America and you're based over here, especially if you'll be in a different line of business. I'd personally snap the domain up if it's available - while it still is. If you're really concerned, you could always add an extra - but not too long - descriptive word on the end, for example, 'records', 'solutions', 'catering', obviously depending on what your business is.

 

[Indigo Cherry]

Hi All

I've come across this website and seen that you all have some good advice so am hoping you could help me with a query I have regarding a business neame.

I am looking to set up a small business and am currently trying to find a name. I have a name in mind, but there is a company in America with the same name. The name is completely random and nothing to do with what their business is or what mine will be (think along the lines of electric elephant !!). There is no name regitered in the name at Comapnies House and the domain for 'companyname'.co.uk is available. Will I be alright to use it ? It's just with the internet these days the whole world is accessible, although I imagine we can't all have something individual and unique !

Any advise would be very much appreciated.

Thanks,
Em

As the other company is in America and I assuming they don't do the same thing as you?
You mention that the .co.uk is available. Is it the compnay in the USA that own the .com?

I would go for it! And even if you aren'ttooo sure on it right now! Go to 123-reg.co.uk and buy the .co.uk for £6! Even if you don't end up using it, it's better than deciding you want it and then realising it's gone. Which has happened to me before.

Gof for it

Matt

 

[ava_camen]

I dont see anything wrong with it either. if the name is free, then you have all the right to get it legally for yourself.

 

[Empet14]

Morning all

Thank you very much for your comments. I thought it would be ok but it's always best to find out from people who know more than yourself !

Thanks again - much appreciated.

Em

 

[Beachcomber]

I'm afraid I'd have to disagree - if the .com is gone then walk away.

If you are hoping to build a business you need control over at least the .co.uk and .com addresses to ensure your customers find you first time every time.

 

[Empet14]

Thanks beachcomber - food for thought..

Em

 

[Higley]

I think you would be fine if there from the US and aren't trading here

 

[Eagle]

The name is completely random and nothing to do with what their business is or what mine will be

Your sorted then. There should be no risk of 'passing-off'.

 

[Empet14]

Thanks all....

Em

 

[J-Wholesale]

There is no definitive answer to this - people's opinions on the necessity of the .com domain ownership vary depending on their own circumstances. We trade across Europe, and as such don't bother using local domains, though we do own the key ones. Our business name is shared by a company in the Netherlands who sell dope, but Google's home page for our business name is mostly ours because the other company only own the .nl domain. If they had bought and used the .com before us, we would have had a real problem.

I'm with Beechcomber here - walk away and find another name.