Comany with same name

[CJ2007]

Hi, I noticed that there is a company with the same name. I am assuming they are a sole trader and I am a limited company with a different trading name. They are not registered as a trademark. I am going to register mine soon. Any advice? I assume it can be common as trading names? Fantastic cleaning etc...

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

It depends are they in your area would they effect your operation.
If there is no conflict of interest that it may not even be worth worrying about

How many A 2 B cabs are there

 

[CJ2007]

They are not in the same area. However, My company is aiming to be larger nationwide. I imagine if they google their name mine will come up quite more.

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

I would not worry if Companies house are happy with the name of the company

 

[Socio South West]

As @JEREMY HAWKE says, don't get too worried about this as it appears they are well away from you geographically, and unlikely to impinge at present.

You would not get something like 'Fantastic Cleaning' registered as a trademark - it's too generic. Take advice before you throw money at applications.
With regard to Companies House, names have to be unique - commonly done by adding a descriptor in brackets - eg Fantastic Cleaning (London) Ltd - there may be 101 other Fantastic Cleaning companies, but none will have exactly the same name.

If you are worried about internet searches, make sure whoever does your web pages makes it clear who and what you are in the description that comes up and differentiate from them in that way.

If you succeed in going national and they are still around, and trading in the same sector as you, you would need to keep an eye on the possibility of them 'passing off' as you in due course... but that is all very much in the future at present: For now, concentrate on building your business to become the national business to which you aspire.

 

[CJ2007]

Thanks all for your replies. Thank you Socio!

 

[Gecko001]

Do you know if the other firm commenced trading before you did. If they did you might have problems trading nationwide using the same name even if they are a sole trader and do not have a trademarked name.

 

[CJ2007]

Hi, I do not even know if they are still trading...

 

[Mr D]

Hi, I do not even know if they are still trading...

Then don't worry about them.

 

[Gecko001]

Hi, I do not even know if they are still trading...

It can be difficult to know if they are trading or not as some sole trader firms are still listed on online business directories long after they have stopped trading. However, many trade without any online presence or nationwide advertising. You might have to give them a ring on some pretext to actually make sure that they are not trading.