Preserved Topic: Name

I am going ot make a website for tutorials, graphics and such. When I choose my name for the website do I have to worry about already existing Corprate and Business Names? Because I don't want to be Sued for Infringement. Any knowledge in this area would be appreciated.

Thanks

Never really thought about this...

I don't know about website names. Here is how it should ultimately work.

If you are doing a business site you should get a DBA, this would allow you to use the name you are wanting to use free of legal issues. If you are issued the DBA the name is yours to use.

If you find a name you want to use then you can do a search on the net for the name if something comes up in the same field as you are working in then you can't use it. But if not I think you could.

Like there is "Apple" computers, as well as "Apple" apple growers. You can use the same name as someone else as long as they are refering to different things.

If you do get in trouble you can simply change your name. No harm done. Not in most cases.

Good luck,

Smart-ass Question: Why would I need a Database Administrator to get a business name?

Non Smart-ass Question: What does DBA stand for in this situation?

Smart-ass answer : To Administer your Database.

Non- smart-ass answer : Doing Business As.

Warmage, Does it cost money to register a Company Name?
And how do you go about getting a DBA?


[This message has been edited by marf (edited 01-05-2002).]

You should be able to get a DBA at the County Clerk. Here they cost $10 for 3 years. Something like that.

I have a funny story related to this. Not sure I remember the details right but here we go.
When Internet names first went on sale people snapped them up like crazy and tried to sell them later. Someone bought nasa.com and put a porn site on it. The real one was at nasa.gov but school kids everywhere were getting unexpected thrills in computer class. The government couldn't find a legal way to make him take it down and he wanted a fortune for the name so.. They said, "fine, keep the name. We'll send the IRS over to make sure everything is being handled properly." End result: He sold the name for one dollar and they took it offline.
I don't know anything about company names but for web address' just go to internetnamesregistry.com and search for available names.

Cheers.
Dave.

But What im asking.. More than one company can have the same name right?
because there are only so many Names in the world and there are like Billions of people.
Also If sombody is running a business does it matter what the end on their website is??
Like if it is a company can they have a .org or.biz or .net
or does it have to be .com?



[This message has been edited by marf (edited 01-05-2002).]

If you`re asking about domain names, intsead of business names, that`s different.
Yes, you can use the same name with a diferent extension, if it`s not already taken. The issue becomes, *should I*, instead of *can I*. If the name with a different extension is available you can, but you can expect alot of your traffic to end up on someone elses site, due to confusion over the extension.
Also there are intellectual property rights to be considered. Is this a name that is recognised as a brand or trademark ? If so, be careful whose toes you tread upon.