Company Names

In the UK, company names are registered via Companies House.  We are not qualified to assist in the registration of company names, but further details of the company name registration process can be found on the Companies House website www.companieshouse.gov.uk.

It is important to note that company law is different from trade mark law, and that you cannot prevent someone using a trade mark which is the same or similar to yours merely by registering your company name with Companies House.  However, when selecting a new company name you should ensure that your company name does not conflict with an existing trade mark, and we would be happy to assist you with the necessary searches.  

Your use of a company name which is identical or confusingly similar to an existing trade mark could constitute trade mark infringement and/or passing off, and the owner of the earlier mark may be entitled to seek an injunction preventing your use of said company name and/or requiring you to change your company name.  In addition, the Company Names Adjudicator Rules 2008 established a system whereby a person or business may object to the registration of a company name that is either the same as a name in which the Applicant has a reputation/goodwill, or sufficiently similar to such a name that its use in the UK would be likely to mislead by suggesting a connection between the company and the Applicant, where such registration is abusive or opportunistic.