A trade name is the official name under which a company does business. It is also known as a “doing business as” name or fictitious name.
A trade name is a company’s formal name under which it performs business activities. For example, “PepsiCo.” A trademark legally protects and distinguishes products and services from competitors.
To register a trade name, go to your County Recorder and ask for the DBA filing form. Some jurisdictions, like Ontario, require adding the legal name of the business too.
Trade name registration matters for branding but does not provide unlimited protection. For example, McDonald’s Corporation does business under the trade name "McDonald’s". But if "McDonald’s" was trademarked, you could not use it even in a different state.
- A trade name identifies a business
- Trademarks protect brands
- Registering both builds visibility
- They differ legally
- McDonald’s Corporation (trade name: McDonald’s)
- Microsoft Corporation (trademark: Microsoft)
- Walmart Inc. (trade name: Walmart)