A trade name, trading name, or business name is a pseudonym used by companies that do not operate under their registered company name.[1] The term for this type of alternative name is a fictitious business name.[1] Registering the fictitious name with a relevant government body is often required.
In a number of countries, the phrase "trading as" (abbreviated to t/a) is used to designate a trade name. In the United States, the phrase "doing business as" (abbreviated to DBA, dba, d.b.a., or d/b/a) is used,[1][2] among others, such as assumed business name[3] or fictitious business name.[4] In Canada, "operating as" (abbreviated to o/a) and "trading as" are used, although "doing business as" is also sometimes used.[5]
A company typically uses a trade name to conduct business using a simpler name rather than using their formal and often lengthier name. Trade names are also used when a preferred name cannot be registered, often because it may already be registered or is too similar to a name that is already registered.
- ^ a b c LoPucki, Lynn M.; Verstein, Andrew (2024). Business Associations: A Systems Approach (2nd ed.). Burlington, Massachusetts: Aspen Publishing. pp. 60–61. ISBN 9798892073653. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
- ^ Pinkerton's, Inc. v. Superior Court Archived 2016-12-30 at the Wayback Machine, 49 Cal. App. 4th 1342, 1348-49, 57 Cal. Rptr. 2d 356, 360 (1996) (collecting cases and explaining term of art "doing business as" (DBA)).
- ^ "Search". SOSNC.gov. North Carolina Secretary of State. 2018. Archived from the original on December 26, 2019. Retrieved June 20, 2018.
- ^ California Business and Professions Code Section 17900 Archived 2019-08-02 at the Wayback Machine et seq.
- ^ "Business Registration". BusinessRegistration.ca. 2015. Archived from the original on 26 March 2016. Retrieved 17 March 2016.