simon76 started this topic @ 09:25 on 20/07/2006
Hi,
I understand that when you are a sole trader the trading name you use (if not the same as your own name) is classed as more of a "brand" than a company name. Therefore are you better off registering the name with the National Business Register to protect it against passing off, or is it more use to register your trading name and logo as a Trade Mark, to protect it that way ?
I dont want to pay out for registering a company name if strictly speaking its just a brand and would be more use being registered as a trade mark.
Regards,
Simon
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RE: Trade Marks / Brand Names
fastfences | 20/07/2006 08:40 PM
Hi Simon,
It is said that the National Business Register has no legal status in protection of names. You can trademark both the name and logo, which is 2 seperate applications costing around £1,000, or simply register a Ltd company as dormant, then no-one can (legally) use the name.
cheers, Nigel
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RE: Trade Marks / Brand Names
simon76 | 20/07/2006 09:24 PM
Thanks for that Nigel, I will have a look in to what you have said. My yearly registration for the National Business Register is due in a few weeks, in your opinion is it not worth renewing ? I could do without the expensive if you think its a waste of time. I have done it in the past due to what they say about passing off etc, but at £70 a year its an expense that I could do with out if its not legally much use.
Simon
Online Exhibits
www.onlineexhibits.co.uk
RE: Trade Marks / Brand Names
stanleyjeans | 20/07/2006 09:37 PM
Can you register as a Dormant Ltd company but still trade as a sole trader?
RE: Trade Marks / Brand Names
ecom-solution.co.uk | 21/07/2006 11:13 AM
Yes you can register as a doramant Ltd and trade as a sole trader , when its dormant you just own the Ltd makes no difference to your business except no one else can use your name.
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RE: Trade Marks / Brand Names
simon76 | 21/07/2006 12:15 PM
So cost wise, is it more beneficial in the long term to register as a Ltd Company to protect your name or pay £70 to the National Business Register each year as protection against passing off etc ? I guess even though its dormant there are still some returns paperwork to fill out.
Simon
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www.onlineexhibits.co.uk
RE: Trade Marks / Brand Names
ecom-solution.co.uk | 21/07/2006 10:07 PM
yup i have 3 dormant Ltd companies just to protect the names, and i didnt think the business register actually protected the name?
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RE: Trade Marks / Brand Names
simon76 | 21/07/2006 10:58 PM
Following on from this, can anyone recomend anyone good to use to form a Ltd Company ? Ive seen a few on the internet like Quick Formations etc but was wondering if anyone could recomend who they would use. I see some offer dormant company registration as a seperate item but seem to have things like quaterly fees and things like that. Does anyone know of anyone who specialises in registering dormant companies but doesnt have hidden extra's, just a one off fee for the registration ?
Simon
Online Exhibits
www.onlineexhibits.co.uk
