Trademarking a similar name

[Ferris7]

Hi, I've been running my business and registered with Companies House for around three years. I was not aware that I should trademark my name and have just been contacted by someone with a similar name. They registered their name with the IPO in 2019 but have only just started trading. I've had some emails with this person and he seems reasonable and has not asked me to stop trading under my name. If I was to register my name with IPO and he didn't object, would it be accepted? For clarity, his company name is #### #### Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and mine is the same but abbreviated, so #### #### CBT. Our work is the same but we only trade locally and are based at opposite ends of the country. I wanted to get some advice before discussing with him. Thank you

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

If they do not object, you will probably be OK, but, it will probably be cheaper just applying and failing than getting professional advice and then applying.