You’ve secured the domain name. You’ve registered with Companies House. Maybe you’ve even got your logo on the van.
So, the name’s yours, right?
Not quite.
This is one of the most common misconceptions we come across.
Many business owners believe that registering a company or buying a domain gives them exclusive rights to use their name. In reality, neither of these steps offers any protection against someone else using the same (or confusingly similar) name. Worse still, without proper protection in place, you could be the one forced to rebrand.
What’s the problem with relying on Companies House or a domain?
Let’s be clear: registering your business with Companies House is essential, but it’s an administrative process, not a legal one when it comes to name ownership.
Companies House will reject identical names, but it does not prevent similar or even near-identical names being registered. For example, “Green Leaf Consulting Ltd” and “Greenleaf Consultants Ltd” can both be incorporated without issue, despite the obvious potential for confusion.
Likewise, owning a domain name is just a digital address. It doesn’t grant you any exclusive legal rights to stop others from using a similar name online or offline. In fact, someone could register a trade mark for your business name and then stop you from using the domain you pay for, even if you’ve been trading under it for years.
So, how do you really protect your business name?
If you want to prevent others from using your name (or something similar), you need to consider intellectual property protection — and that means:
- Registering a Trade Mark
Registering a Trade Mark gives you exclusive rights to use your name, logo, or slogan in the areas you trade. It also gives you legal grounds to challenge anyone copying or piggybacking off your brand.
- Business Name Protection
If your business name isn’t suitable for trade mark registration (for example, if it’s too descriptive), you can still protect it through NBR’s Business Name Protection service. This protects you under passing off laws in the UK, helping you prove reputation and prior use if someone tries to imitate you. The service means that once registered you have £10,000 of legal support should there be a passing off case, meaning you can concentrate on running and growing your business.
- Registered Design Protection
If the look and feel of your product or packaging is unique, a registered design can give you exclusive rights to its appearance, helping you protect against copycats.
Why it matters
A strong brand is one of your most valuable business assets, but only if you own it. Without protection, you risk losing everything you’ve built if someone else claims rights to your name. Don’t wait until a legal challenge or customer confusion forces your hand.
