Do I have to change the name of my existing business because it is similar to another business in another city?
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Do I have to change the name of my existing business because it is similar to another business in another city?
I recently opened a cafe. I followed proper protocol for starting a new business – .fictitious name filing, permits, etc. Then 2 months later, I received a letter from an attorney stating that I needed to change my name. The name has a trade mark and I cannot use it.
Asked on December 13, 2011 under Business Law, California
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
The answer is you *may* have to change your name. If someone has a trademark, then if your name is confusingly similar, that may be infringing the trademark; if you are infringing, they may take legal action to make you stop.
However, to be confusingly similar, there must be a legitimate chance or risk of customer confusion; so, for example, you have to sell to the same market (a cafe in a distant city might not be able to complain); the types of business must also be similar, even if geographically close (e.g. "Acme Plumbing" does not infringe on "Acme Cafe's" trademark); etc. Thus, whether there is infringement depends on the facts.
Bring the letter to an intellectual property attorney to review. Help him or her out by in advance finding and printing out all information you can about your business and the other one, including what you each do, where you each are located, marketing or advertising material, how long each has been around, etc.
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