how to check if my product name is taken?

imadam · Share | #1 (**permalink**) 12-12-2009, 05:29 PM

i have an idea of a name for a product which isn't unique, e.g. a car which i want to call jacty. is there a way i can find is the name is taken? i actually got a little excited by the name for this product that i want ahead and registered the domain name, so i hope it's ok to use, else i would have wasted £6

i'm in the uk btw

if it is ok to use, is there any way i can officially take it, even if i don't have the finished product today? i plan to make my product in 6 months of less, so it would be a pain if i work on the name and design etc, to find one i release the product it gets taken.

DavidCDD · #2 (**permalink**) 12-12-2009, 05:45 PM

You are always best to choose a name last.

I work on my sites for example with "Site Name". You should spend all the time designing and creating a wonderful product and whens its complete a name should hopefully pop into your head!

What if your name don't match your design but you like the design better? You would have to change the domain.

If you read about on various forums its not just a personal view of my own indeed many people agree that a name is always last.

Regarding

Quote:

if it is ok to use, is there any way i can officially take it, even if i don't have the finished product today? i plan to make my product in 6 months of less, so it would be a pain if i work on the name and design etc, to find one i release the product it gets taken.

Only way I can think of officially taken a name is by company name and registering as a business. I have no idea how and if you can do it with a product. I am sure you would be able to though.

I Hoped I have helped you as much as I can.

**HTMLBasicTutor** · #3 (**permalink**) 12-13-2009, 01:43 AM

There are 2 sticky threads at the top of this forum that could provide you with some information regarding checking if a name is trademarked or how to trademark it if that's what you want to do.

http://www.v7n.com/forums/legal-issues/

If it's a name I thought would take off I'd:
-do a trademark search first to avoid the disappointment of doing all the website, promotion and stuff only to find out you can't use the name.
-once the trademark is pretty well on it's way, register a business in that name. Again, depending where you live, you could be disappointed that the name is taken.
-seeing domains are relatively cheap, having purchased it now before confirming the above I don't think would be a big loss in the whole scheme of things right now.

howinfo · #4 (**permalink**) 12-13-2009, 08:42 PM

I Google everything, if it does not pop up there is a very good chance it is not taken. There is no totally guaranteed way of checking existing product or business names. It is therefore advisable to check local telephone books and any relevant trade journals or magazines, to see if any other business (particularly a business in the same field as the one you are interested in) is already using the same product or business name or a similar name.

DotComBum · #5 (**permalink**) 12-14-2009, 10:56 PM

Are you making this a 'real business'? If yes, check the website of your local business registering office and check whether the name is taken, if not you have to go register it as your business name to protect it. Hope that helps.