Questions about web buisness

[sharkey]

I have wondered for quite some about say pyro's web company website has he like copyrighted the name infinty web design as can anyone come along and take the name infinity web design etc. I was wondering do you have to copyright the name of the company.


Cheers
Chris Sharkey

[AdamGundry]

You can't copyright names, because copyright applies to creative works, not names. You're probably thinking of trademark legislation, which does apply to names and allows trademarks to be registered (that's what the ™ and ® icons are for).

There's probably not much need for a trademark if you are a sole trader. In Ryan's case, a quick Google search throws up at least three companies called "Infinity Web Design".

Adam

[sharkey]

Cheers Adam that clears it up for me.

Thanks again:)

[spufi]

I will also point out that when you apply/register for a business that the name of the business does have to be unique. Unique within the world, I'm not sure. Within a country, I can only assume. This at least allows a business to have a unique name and thus nobody else can use it. Think of McDonald's. You don't see other companies named McDonald's now do you? If you are an official business and you want to play hard ball with other companies who use the same name, then you very likely would be on solid ground doing so. I know a person had to change her doamin name after a company got after her.

[buntine]

If you register your business with the national government, your business name must be unique within the country. International business' wont cause a conflict (there are exceptions to this rule, though).

Also, McDonalds Carpet Cleaners and McDonalds Fresh Fish are valid business names as they are not identical to the food stores registered business name.

Regards,
Andrew Buntine.

[sharkey]

Cheers again guys:)