Corporate Name Search Key Terms

Some key terms for the corporate name search and giving a business a good name

When a few dedicated people are trying to get a business off the ground, one thing that they may participate in is a corporate name search to secure a name that will make their company take off. There are other key elements in going about starting a business and giving it a good business ID. Knowing about some of the key terms for doing a corporate name search and otherwise identifying a business will help those in charge to make judicious decisions.

Trademark

Trademarks are words, symbols, or slogans that represent a particular business. Lots of simple words and phrases are trademarked, making new business innovation a little tricky in some cases. Take a look at trademark issues before coining that perfect marketing catch phrase.
United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Fictitious name

Though it sounds like something out of a detective story, a fictitious name is not really shady. It's simply a name that a business uses that is not the name on formal documentation (generally articles of incorporation). However, there are also a lot of "business ID issues" around using a fictitious name, so it is another good thing to research.
Wordnet. Read more on fictitious name use at Nolo.

Incorporation

Incorporation is the process of giving a business an "identity" to help it function as a whole. A corporate name search is often a key part of the incorporation process, and those looking to build a business should know about the ins and outs of this process.

Limited liability

A limited liability company is another way of shielding parts of a business. In this case, limited liability provides special protections for investors, and a handy way to integrate a business.

Web domain

A web domain is a web space that has a specific domain name. As these names continue to be parceled out, businesses keep a close eye on which ones would allow them a more robust web presence.

Domain name leasing and renting

One way to get a domain name for a business is to lease it from a domain owner. If the names that seem most applicable are already owned, leasing or renting the domain name may be an option. However, there are a lot of issues with using a domain name on a less than permanent basis, and business owners should always consider what will happen when the agreement period is finished.