When opening an online business do you HAVE TO select and register a fictious business name? Thanks?
599563
If you form an LLC or a corporation, you won't need to register a fictitious business name (at least not in California).  \nIf you don't form one of the above entities and your business name doesn't incorporate your legal name, then yes, you'll have to register a FBN.
67212
Check out the Small Business Administration web site -- they're a great resource. I listed a couple of other handy links as well.\n\nDo you have a name in mind for your electricity services? Prior to investing your time, money & effort into a name, it is strongly advised that comprehensive research be conducted to ensure that the name you're interested in is truly available. \n\nThis entails searching the pending & registered Federal and State trademark files as well as the US National Common-Law files. Then, if clear, you can decide if you would like to file for a Federal or a State trademark. \n\nResearch is needed to make sure your trade name is legally available, before opening, before expansion, before incorporation or before designing your logo. Similarities in sound, appearance and meaning affect you too!\n\nThere are 16+ million trade names in use in the United States. Similar names matter, if close in sound, appearance or meaning. Similar names in related classes, distribution channels and customer matter too. You are affected by Common Law use (14 million), State Trademarks (500,000) and Federal Trademarks (2 million).
610325
Definitely talk to a lawyer about this.....it seems to me that you could protect your company name somehow by perhaps applying for a copyright or a trademark with the legal language stating that you only intend to enforce the C/TM for business purposes.
581542
Picking a business name is a personal, difficult decision. After you come up with a name, and you want to find out if it is taken:\n\n1. Do a search for it at the patent & trademark office.That will tell you if anyone has trademarked that name.\n2. Check the local phone book.\n3. Google your business name.
554504
The naming of your business could be one of the most important decisions you will make. A name's originality and legal availability will create a real asset value of its own, as it becomes marketed and gains market acceptance. \n\nThe name you choose will become the focal point of all the benefits and features that relate to your product or business. Customers will be able to find and refer others to it in the future. \n\nSince any names that are suggested here may already be owned by another party, I wanted to go a different route...\n\nI suggest either hiring a name creation firm or get together with your friends and/or family and throw a "name party" & have everyone bounce some ideas around. Compile a listing of names that you like the best. Once you have that list, do as much free research as you can before you delve into comprehensive research. I listed some links where you can do some preliminary name checking. However, please be aware that this is merely scratching the surface of what's out there. Only comprehensive research will tell you if the name is truly available. But, these links are free & a great place to start, so I'd try them out first. \n\nThere are other sites that offer free searching capabilities in conjunction with their commercial services, so I'm not able to post those links due to the Yahoo! TOS. You'll also want to check domain names & yellow pages, so simply do a search for "free domain name search" and "national yellowpages" and the appropriate links will pop up.\n\nHope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!
85680
If it is your business name, you may be able to dispute their registration, as it seems to be in bad faith. If it is your personal name, don't bother - the domain is worthless, just come up with something daft at random.\n\nBe careful how you proceed, as your actions can affect your chances at domain arbitration.
78002
Check out the Small Business Administration web site -- they're a great resource. I listed a couple of other handy links as well.\n\nDo you have a name in mind for your product? Prior to investing your time, money & effort into a name, it is strongly advised that comprehensive research be conducted to ensure that the name you're interested in is truly available. \n\nThis entails searching the pending & registered Federal and State trademark files as well as the US National Common-Law files. Then, if clear, you can decide if you would like to file for a Federal or a State trademark. \n\nResearch is needed to make sure your trade name is legally available, before opening, before expansion, before incorporation or before designing your logo. Similarities in sound, appearance and meaning affect you too!\n\nThere are 16+ million trade names in use in the United States. Similar names matter, if close in sound, appearance or meaning. Similar names in related classes, distribution channels and customer matter too. You are affected by Common Law use (14 million), State Trademarks (500,000) and Federal Trademarks (2 million).
534325
well...you DID say pretty please, so I guess I'll help.\n\nsite name = is what you're calling the site....for example, if you google something, and you get a list of all the website...the name at the top that you can click on to get to the website is called the site name.\n\nsite tagline = "It appears above, below or next to your business name and logo on every page of your site, but is especially prominent on your home page"
264182
Name your business something that starts with an "A" you'll be the first listed everywhere in the phone books.. \n\nWhich is where I search for my local items, since many businesses still aren't on-line, except for a chamber of commerce listing... \n\nbut then thats another good idea..join the chamber in your area.. they refer only to chamber members for business.. and it's a great way to get your name circulated especcially if you're a new business.\n\nThen join/attend meeting to do with your trade to keep up with whats selling the best on the market...market research is PRICELESS! Know what your customer wants then supply it.
684063
Ask in Yahoo answers the following;  "What name would you give a business". Decribe the business. Let the public answer. Perhaps you can pick one from all of the answers, or at least modidy an answer to your liking. Good Luck!
350610
Fictitious name/business name registration would suffice. Businesses, even the smallest home-based operations, are required to register with either their city or county. Check with your city or county office the procedures in filing for business registration.\n\nLicenses are for specific businesses (e.g. restaurant, daycare) and marketing businesses are not often asked to apply for licenses. But to be sure, contact your county and ask for the requirements. On the Web, you can start by going to your Secretary of State website, which often have the information on how to start a business in your area.\n\nGenerally, businesses need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) or federal tax identification number. The EIN is used to identify a business entity such as a corporation, LLC, or partnership. Sole proprietorships that need to pay federal excise of employment taxes are required to get an EIN. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) web site at http://www.irs.ustreas.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=98350,00.html contains all the information you need about EIN and how to apply for an EIN electronically.\n\nA business that sells any tangible item is required to get a sales and use tax license. Sales and use tax that applies to the retail purchase, retail site, rental, storage, use or consumption of tangible personal property and certain services vary between states. Check with your state Comptroller office for the requirements and procedures in getting a sales tax number.\n\nAnother thing to consider is zoning permit, especially for home-based business. This is especially important if clients will be going to your home. While many home based entrepreneurs get away with not having to file zoning permits, the litmus test is often the neighbors. If a neighbor complains, then that's when the zoning board typically steps in.
413052
Depends what you mean by "Register". Do you mean you want to open business named SEX (standing for Safe Effective Xrays), or do you want to Trademark SEX (meaning Safe Effective Xrays)?\n\nIn either case, it is unlikely that you will be able to simply register SEX.  You might be able to open a business named "SEX Safe Effective Xrays", or even trademark "SEX Safe Effective Xrays", but not SEX alone (unless maybe it was a very stylized logo, but even then you'd have a very tough time.\n\nAlso, registering a trademark is not like parking a domain. You have to demonstrate that you are actually using it in business and that it is uniquely identified with your product or service. There is something called "intent to use in commerce" but then you'd have to prove that you are, in fact, using it commerce within 12 months I believe.
672108
You can start your business with out an LLC. You will probably want a name, but you can just use a DBA until you start the actual LLC or INC entity.
224953
You first need to check if the business name you are planning to use is available. The Ohio Secretary of State website has a database where you can check the business name:\n http://serform.sos.state.oh.us/pls/porthope/DEV.SAP_RPT_BUS_INFORMATION_SQL.SHOW_PARMS\n\nGo to Ohio.gov for a complete guidance on how to start a business in Ohio, including business name registration\nhttp://www.ohio.gov/business.stm\n\nYou can find guidelines on how to register a business name here:\nhttp://www.sos.state.oh.us/sos/businessservices/corp.aspx?Section=102
30817
The naming of your business could be one of the most important decisions you will make. A name's originality and legal availability will create a real asset value of its own, as it becomes marketed and gains market acceptance. \n\nThe name you choose will become the focal point of all the benefits and features that relate to your product or business. Customers will be able to find and refer others to it in the future. \n\nEstablished products or businesses realize the value of customer good will. A well chosen name will provide an extra marketing advantage, that may mean the difference between failure and success. \n\nCompanies go to great lengths to trademark and protect the usage of their name.\n\nThat being said, I suggest either hiring a name creation firm or get together with your friends and throw a "name party." Bring some of your items to the party & have everyone bounce some ideas around. Compile a listing of names that you like the best. Once you have that list, do as much free research as you can before you delve into comprehensive research. I listed some links to search names in the source box.\n\nBest of luck to you!
145078
You might have to file a ficticious business name with the county.  Then get a business license with the city.  \n\nAnd maybe register it as a trade mark so nobody else can use it.
7551
Think of all your interests & ask yourself if any of those could be expanded into a business. Just keep in mind...what's your expertise? What are your interests? What could you imagine yourself doing?\n\nThen, once you have some ideas, research, research, research. Check out the competition -- their business practices, pricing, customer service, etc. And also think about what you could offer to set yourself apart from these other companies.\n\nCheck the sources for some handy sites.\n\nPrior to investing your time, money & effort into a business name, it is strongly advised that comprehensive research be conducted to ensure that the name you're interested in is truly available. \n\nThis entails searching the pending & registered Federal and State trademark files as well as the US National Common-Law files. Then, if clear, you can decide if you would like to file for a Federal or a State trademark. \n\nResearch is needed to make sure your trade name is legally available, before opening, before expansion, before incorporation or before designing your logo. Similarities in sound, appearance and meaning affect you too!\n\nThere are 16+ million trade names in use in the United States. Similar names matter, if close in sound, appearance or meaning. Similar names in related classes, distribution channels and customer matter too. You are affected by Common Law use (14 million), State Trademarks (500,000) and Federal Trademarks (2 million).