[easy clean]

Hi guys,
Got a bit of a problem, been trading now for just over 10 years and have built a very good reputation with a solid customer base of 1600 houses per month. A friend see a van very local to where most of our work is based using the same name, same clout writing and bubbles on the van in a similar fashion. I know that I can't stop anybody using the same name but was hoping someone may have some advice.

Thanks in advance

[robert tynan]

are you sure he can trade under the same name , personally id get professional legal advice and notify all your customers before he starts robbing your work

[duncan h]

When I first went self employed when I was 19 (milk man) I went to Head office in Huddersfield to register. They checked if another milk man was trading under the same name in England. It was illegal. Not sure if it is now or not. He certainly cant copy your company, LTD or not.
Why would someone want to do that. If all of a sudden you got done for say being a peedo and it was in local rag. All customers cancelled. It would work against him. If you get me

[Shane O Neill]

If I went out tomorrow & called my business reach & wash or ionics I bet I'd have solicitors letter next day in the post ! If that is is YOUR trading nobody else can go about using it or your images !

[easy clean]

I trade under squeaky clean and have bubbles on my van, then my mate see this cowboy

[easy clean]

This is how my vans are all written

[Stoots]

unless you are both ltd companys theres nowt u can do

[steve rix]

Yes you can i think. I'm sure you can register a company name and logo then you can force anyone else to stop using it.

[Mike #1]

You will have to look into mate  i tried registering my company name but could'nt because it contained M&M and their was loads of companies using the M&M before their stated business practice .

[CLEANCARE WC]

Not being rude to OP but there must be dozens of SQUEAKY CLEAN'S up & down the UK. .. We have one in IPSWICH for a start.

Probably a few cleancare's too?!!

[Smudger]

Agree with the above, seen a couple of squeaky cleans around here, there is also 2  'A' star cleaning companies in the area.

It's hardly an original name, and if they were to put a town name in brackets then that's enough to differentiate between you.

Darran

[Soupy]

Rebrand.

[Mike #1]

Register with the intellectual property office but it will cost you £200  with no chance of a refund if unsuccessful

[Ian Lancaster]

There was a discussion on here a few months ago about registering your trading name/logo.  It only costs about £170.  Unfortunately as many have said, there are probably thousands trading as Squeaky Clean so the chances of being able to register that are nil.

It comes down to being original when you choose a trading name and if you want to register it there should be something in the design to differentiate it from any other similar ones.

You can check here:  https://www.gov.uk/search-for-trademark

 

This is my registered Trade Mark

[Rich Wilts]

Others may trade as the same name as another company but if no-one registers it and then ensures the ownership isn't abused you're going to have loads of companies with similiar names. It's all okay so king as no one claims the name.

I have registered our company name with companies house, our bank account is in the same name as well as our website. These and other criteria are what is used to determine whether you can own a particular trading name should there be a dispute I believe and how long you have had those particular parts accredited to your company, I believe. 

[Ian Lancaster]

Registering with Companies House is for when you become Ltd, it doesn't guarantee you own 'The Marks' (your logo/trading name)

To be safe you should register with the Intellectual Property Office - then if someone tries to use your 'Marks' there's no dispute.

[Rich Wilts]

Sorry, I should have explained its just part of the process that we've chosen to go down, which isn't about a logo but the trading name.

[easy clean]

I know that there is gonna be a few more up and down the country but don't expect someone to start up literally within 2 miles of me!

[Nick Day]

The only protection of a name is a trade mark. Go onto the IPO sight, type in a name and you can find out if it is available. If you get a name registered it only protects you from new people trying to use it. If anybody used it prior to your  registration they can carry on using it. The Trade mark people do a search to try and discover if a name is in use, but it is almost impossible.