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Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2004 10:58 pm
by dev1nsan
starting new agency, how do I find out if a name's been taken?
Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2004 10:25 am
by TT96122
You should first visit the US Patents & Trademarks web site at
http://www.uspto.gov.
Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2004 11:05 am
by Insurance4YourBiz
In California you can check the Department of Insurance website. They will not approve a name that is already in use or is misleading. Also, most county clerks offices have on-line databases of fictitious name statements (dba's) that have been filed.
As for the US Patents & Trademarks web site, most business names are not trademarkable so it is limited, but still worth looking at.
Most of all, do some research--you don't want to pick some name because it sounds good then find out it has an alternate meaning or is in use by another company in another industry that you don't want to be associated with.
Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2004 1:22 pm
by dev1nsan
thank you.
Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2004 7:41 pm
by CompPro
When considering an agency name, based on my agency experience, the following should be considered:
1. Consider not just where you will start, but where you will end up alo. Choose a name sufficiently descriptive to describe yourself now and in the future. Choose several possibilities.
2. Check out USPTO as suggested, check with the DOI to make sure it isn't taken and then understand that there is a good chance you will have a website or be engaged in internet sales at some point so check with directnic.com to ensure that a good domain name that approximates your agency name is available.
3. If you live in a small community avoid using your own personal name. People will allow you no peace if you end up insuring half the town.
4. Make sure that it is catchy, memorable, concise with good use of consonants to ensure that should you engage in telemarketing it can be understood clearly and your brand established even if they don't buy, you want them to remember the name.
Hope this helps.