how to register a trading name

[cojak]

plus you presumably - this is the IT industry after all - have the domain name?

That's a good question - if co.uk domains need to be Limited Co, is setting up a new ltd co the only way to run a trading name?

Or would it be a good idea to use .net/.org and just be a registered trading name, not Ltd?

(If that makes sense..)

[Spacecadet]

Can you drop the "Limited" from the company name on stationary without it being considered a trading name?

E.G.
Letterhead:
Spacecadet IT Services

Letterfooter
Spacecadet IT Services Limited is a registered company
number:1234567
vat:7654321

[SueEllen]

Does a trading name apply if you simply abbreviate a multiple word company name e.g. if my company was Alpha Beta Gamma Limited and I wanted to use "A.B.G. Limited" would this be considered a 'Trading Name'? and require the disclaimer and HMRC notification?

Yes.

Otherwise you may find yourself infringing on someone elses trading name or ltd company name.

Example my company is called Britney Houston's Services ltd and I decide to abbreviate it and use BHS ltd as a trading name on my website and other stationary. I could then find myself with a legal letter from a well known retailer.

[gadgetman]

Does a trading name apply if you simply abbreviate a multiple word company name e.g. if my company was Alpha Beta Gamma Limited and I wanted to use "A.B.G. Limited" would this be considered a 'Trading Name'? and require the disclaimer and HMRC notification?

[Ardesco]

The reason I pay for the registration annually is that if another big company does try to use my trading name I have insurance that will pay for the solicitors to fight the case for me.

Even if you are in the right you may lose if you can't afford the costly and lengthy legal battle that the other side can. At £70~ a year it isn't exactly a huge amount of money either.

[SueEllen]

But you have the fact that you notified hmrc and all your invoices include it - that all makes proof.

plus you presumably - this is the IT industry after all - have the domain name?

I wouldn't rely on HMRC helping you out if you had a dispute over your trading name especially when they have a habit of "misplacing" documents.

Simply invoicing customers doesn't raise brand awareness and this is what you need to have a recognised trade name . So you need to do a combination of things i.e. have stationary, a functioning website, be in a telephone directory under the trading name. Once customers recognise your business under the trading name and it has a reputation, then you have something to protect.

Also notifying the solicitor is just a formality as it is basically a dated letter briefly discussing your business and it's names.

The date of this letter would probably be before your first invoice, and it would help in a dispute anyway as most people are reluctant to get involved in legal disputes particularly if it was a large company taking you on.

[where did my id go?]

But you have the fact that you notified hmrc and all your invoices include it - that all makes proof.

plus you presumably - this is the IT industry after all - have the domain name?

[SueEllen]

Why?

There is no requirement to 'register' your trading name. I'd tell hmrc, but as long as you have the 'abc is a trading name of xyz plc' thats fine.

Sure check for trademarks/other uses of the name, but why 'register' with them?

Protection

If a larger entity starts using your trading name after you, and takes you to court for passing off then you have proof that you used the trading name before them. You can apparently just get a solicitor to recognise your trading name to have this protection which is probably cheaper as they won't ask you to "renew" it every year.

[where did my id go?]

http://www.nationalbusinessregister....ames/index.php

Those are the people I use.

HTH

Why?

There is no requirement to 'register' your trading name. I'd tell hmrc, but as long as you have the 'abc is a trading name of xyz plc' thats fine.

Sure check for trademarks/other uses of the name, but why 'register' with them?

[NoddY]

As for invoices I just use the trading name and have a disclaimer at the bottom that says:

<trading name> is a registered trading name of <company name>

And then put in company registration number, VAT number, etc.

I believe that is the only requirement in the UK.

[Ardesco]

As for invoices I just use the trading name and have a disclaimer at the bottom that says:

<trading name> is a registered trading name of <company name>

And then put in company registration number, VAT number, etc.

[moorfield]

http://www.nationalbusinessregister....ames/index.php

Those are the people I use.

HTH

Great - thanks.

[Ardesco]

http://www.nationalbusinessregister....ames/index.php

Those are the people I use.

HTH

[moorfield]

I would like start using a "trading name" rather than a ltdco name on my invoices, stationary, dealings with pimps / contacts etc.

Is there any guideline on how to go about doing this? - I did search on old threads but nothing useful. Do I need to register it with Hector etc?