What is a trading name in the UK?

A trading name is an alternative name used by a business instead of its official registered name, which is common among UK companies. It helps clarify services, simplify administration, and enhance branding.

What is the UK trading name?

It's quite common for UK companies to adopt a trading name to run their business with. This is essentially a different name to that which their business has been registered under . Some limited companies even run multiple businesses with various trading names, yet all under the umbrella of a single limited company.

What is an example of a trading name?

Unlike the company name, registering a trading name is not a legal requirement. Trading names are often used by companies to run separate divisions or product lines. For example, “ABC Vehicles Ltd” may trade as “ABC Cars”, “ABC Vans” and “ABC Buses” from a client-facing perspective.

Does a trading name need to be registered in the UK?

A business may use as many trading names as it requires, but these cannot be registered as official names of the company. They are often used for marketing purposes to distinguish one division of the company from another.

What is your trading name?

You can also trade using a different name to your registered name. This is known as a 'business name' or 'trading name'. Trading names must not: be the same as an existing trade mark.

Company NAME & Trading NAME

How do I register a trade name in the UK?

Standard application

It costs £170 to register a single trade mark in one class. It costs £50 for each additional class. If you're making a series application the first 2 versions of the trade mark are included in the fee. You then pay £50 for each additional version of your trade mark, up to a maximum total of 6.

How to pick a trading name?

What is the difference between a business name and a trading name?

A trading name is an unregistered name that businesses could use before the introduction of the national Business Names Register on 28 May 2012. A trading name is not a registered business name. If you want to keep using a trading name, you need to register it as a business name.

Why use a trading name?

A trading name is an alternative name used by a business instead of its official registered name, which is common among UK companies. It helps clarify services, simplify administration, and enhance branding.

Can I use my name as a trade name?

Unlike surnames, personal names (first names and first names used with last names) can act as trademarks without proof of secondary meaning because they are considered to be inherently distinctive.

What is the difference between trade name and official name?

A trade name is a name under which a person transacts business, other than one's legal name (personal name) or a registered corporate name, general or limited partnership name, limited liability company name or limited liability partnership name.

How much is a trading name?

The fees to register your business name with ASIC are: $45 for 1 year. $104 for 3 years.

Can you contract with a trading name?

Identifying the parties to a contract

In a situation where a company operates under one or more trading names, then it is the company (a legal entity) behind the trading name which is the contractual party; a trading name by itself has no legal personality to contract by.

Who owns a trading name?

A trading name is not legally protected and can be used by any business. It's the name under which a company conducts its business and interacts with its customers. It's important to note that while a company can have multiple trading names, it can only have one registered company name.

How to protect a trading name in the UK?

You can register your trade mark to protect your brand, for example the name of your product or service. This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg). When you register your trade mark, you'll be able to: take legal action against anyone who uses your brand without your permission, including counterfeiters.

What is an example of a trade name?

A trade name is the name a business or individual uses to conduct business. Examples include IBM, Walmart, Ford, Nike, and so forth. Often trade names are also trademarked.

Do I need to have a trading name?

If you conduct business under a name other than your own, you must register a business name. You may also need to register a company. A trading name is an unregistered name that businesses could use before ASIC's business names register was established on 28 May 2012.

What is the purpose of a trade name?

A1. A trade name is an assumed name used to identify the business or activities of an individual or organization. Sometimes a trade name is referred to as a “doing business as”, “DBA”, or “assumed” name.

How to come up with a trading name?

When choosing a business name, it's essential to consider its relevance, uniqueness, and memorability. Your business name should reflect your brand's values, products or services, and target audience. It should also be easy to pronounce and remember.

Is a trading name the same as a registered name?

Your company name is the official name under which your business is registered, representing its legal identity. While a trading name acts as an alias that can be used for commercial purposes, it isn't a legal title.

Can I change my sole trader name?

Changing your trading name as a sole trader might seem like a lot to take on, but it's really just a case of following the steps and making sure you inform the right people. The key is to keep everything organised, update your records, and communicate the change clearly to your customers and suppliers.

Why do companies have different trading names?

Trading names can also be used to differentiate between different areas within your business. You can use your company name for your core business and trading names for any offshoots or specialist areas. This can help potential customers clearly distinguish between the different services that you offer.

What is a good trade name?

Clarity: A simple, clear, and direct name will be far more catchy and easier for customers to recall. If customers don't understand your brand initially, they're less likely to remember it later on. Good brand names don't require too much explanation. While it should be clear, it should also be adaptable to change.

How do you come up with a trade name?

When selecting a brand name, make sure you consider your target audience, your business values, and your mission statement. You want to brand your company with a name that resonates with your industry, offerings and unique selling proposition. In contrast, your business name should be simple, practical and consistent.

Can you have the same trading name?

Registration of business names

The rules specify how we are to work out whether a business name is identical or nearly identical to another name. Under the rules, the phrase 'identical or nearly identical' has a specific meaning. If a name is identical or nearly identical to another name, we must not register it.