Expert: Shannon Moore - 5/6/2010

Question
Hello Shannon, I just wanted to know if there was a free website where i can check to see if my company name was avalible for corporate use...

Answer
Dear Bryan,

Unfortunately there is no free national corporate name search. Here are some links where you can do some preliminary checking. However, please be aware that this is merely scratching the surface of what's out there.

http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/index.jsp -- USPTO – Preliminary Search of Federal trademarks; Click Search Marks
http://www.statelocalgov.net/50states-secretary-state.cfm --Go to your state's Secretary of State page to see if they have a searchable database of business names
http://www.hoovers.com/free/
http://www.thomasnet.com – Must register (free) to search their database

Only comprehensive research will tell you if the name is truly available. But, these links are free & a great place to start, so I'd try them out first.

Comprehensive research consists of looking at marks that are similar in Sound, Appearance or Meaning in the pending & registered Federal AND State trademark files as well as the US National Common-Law files.

Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!

Warmest regards,
Shannon Moore
http://www.tmexpress.com
http://tmexpress.blogspot.com
Twitter @TradeMarkExpres