[richard groves]

I'm looking to build on my business and expand. And so have a website.
My business name is presently one that I cannot get a .com or .co.uk domain name for because its a widely used one but not locally to me.
I've come up with a catchy one that is geographic to where I am and is available as a .com . There is another cleaning company in my town with the same two word name I wish to use ( general cleaning though and not window cleaning ). I only noticed their office the other day and the sign. Think they are more of an agency , have no sign written vehicles or website that I can find of that name.
My proposed business name would combine both words with no space and .com on the end. It would be the branded sign writing on my van ( all one word ) and be my web address eliminating the need for cluttered info on it.
Forget the ethics of it for a moment , am I legally doing anything wrong ?

[Shrek]

Copycat 🐱

[richard groves]

Copycat 🐱

I actually did a google check and checked availability of domain name and came up with a few design ideas 2 months ago and only just passed by this cleaning companies office a couple of weeks back.

[nathankaye]

I loved the film "coming to America" with eddie murphy.
McDonalds and McDowells.
One with the golden M And the other with a yellow M
 

[The Jester of Wibbly]

Just call yourself Amazon Window Lickers  or Microsoft Windows shine or Apple iclean.   

And wait see what happens.......

[rosskesava]

If the name hasn't been registered you can use it.

[Bungle]

I'm looking to build on my business and expand. And so have a website.
My business name is presently one that I cannot get a .com or .co.uk domain name for because its a widely used one but not locally to me.
I've come up with a catchy one that is geographic to where I am and is available as a .com . There is another cleaning company in my town with the same two word name I wish to use ( general cleaning though and not window cleaning ). I only noticed their office the other day and the sign. Think they are more of an agency , have no sign written vehicles or website that I can find of that name.
My proposed business name would combine both words with no space and .com on the end. It would be the branded sign writing on my van ( all one word ) and be my web address eliminating the need for cluttered info on it.
Forget the ethics of it for a moment , am I legally doing anything wrong ?

Try adding a hyphen or the letter s on the end of cleaner etc.

You can trade on whatever name you want unless you're a limited company and then you have to register the name at companies house and no one else can use your limited name as a limited company.

[rosskesava]

Barry, is it the same name you had on your van before you got the 4WD?

[dazmond]

dont forget to put a big orange figure with no face with a pole in his hand on the side of your van.

[richard groves]

Barry, is it the same name you had on your van before you got the 4WD?

No Ross its a new name . I can't get a .com or .co.uk for that.......my idea was a very bold and simple logo that incorporated the website address in title so easy to remember and look up the site than jotting down a number from side of a van.

[richard groves]

Thanks for replies ......... don't think I've got anything to worry about. Delved a little further and it would appear two local windies already use the name as sole traders with no website or sign writing just mobiles. The company with office are Ltd and have a web address that's not even active . I'm not out to copy anyone intentionally and my logo will bear no resemblance to anyone elses. The domain name is available, I'm a sole trader with no intentions to go Ltd . so I figure its fair game.

[Tosh]

If the other guys had wanted the domain name they would've taken it. Take it. Use it.

[richard groves]

If the other guys had wanted the domain name they would've taken it. Take it. Use it.

That's the way I'm thinking 

[dazmond]

Thanks for replies ......... don't think I've got anything to worry about. Delved a little further and it would appear two local windies already use the name as sole traders with no website or sign writing just mobiles. The company with office are Ltd and have a web address that's not even active . I'm not out to copy anyone intentionally and my logo will bear no resemblance to anyone elses. The domain name is available, I'm a sole trader with no intentions to go Ltd . so I figure its fair game.

why would you want to be like the other window cleaners in your area and use the same name?

cant you just use your real name? eg DARREN LANE WINDOW CLEANING.

IMO its much better (then people/customers  wont get confused).if the other companies with the same name let people down or do a bad job it could tarnish your reputation.its not worth it.

stand out and be at least a bit original!

[richard groves]

Thanks for replies ......... don't think I've got anything to worry about. Delved a little further and it would appear two local windies already use the name as sole traders with no website or sign writing just mobiles. The company with office are Ltd and have a web address that's not even active . I'm not out to copy anyone intentionally and my logo will bear no resemblance to anyone elses. The domain name is available, I'm a sole trader with no intentions to go Ltd . so I figure its fair game.

why would you want to be like the other window cleaners in your area and use the same name?

cant you just use your real name? eg DARREN LANE WINDOW CLEANING.

IMO its much better (then people/customers  wont get confused).if the other companies with the same name let people down or do a bad job it could tarnish your reputation.its not worth it.

stand out and be at least a bit original!

I hear what you're saying but as to the two sole traders using the name neither seem to even have sign written vans. I know most local firms .... never seen em about. I'm set on this because the logo will be the website ... Its simple , short and easy to remember and will be easily recognisable from any one else. If I were to put it up here you'd understand my reasoning but obviously not going to until I've actually done it.

[robbo333]

From a legal point of view I have no idea, but I think that's already been covered above.
From a marketing point of view (that's my background) I wouldn't touch a name that is similar to two other window cleaners in your area and one cleaning agency. It's got confusion written all over it.  And you haven't even expanded yet. A brand (by it's pure nature) needs to stand alone and be remembered.
PS it needs to be simple as well.

[Marc Stock]

Thanks for replies ......... don't think I've got anything to worry about. Delved a little further and it would appear two local windies already use the name as sole traders with no website or sign writing just mobiles. The company with office are Ltd and have a web address that's not even active . I'm not out to copy anyone intentionally and my logo will bear no resemblance to anyone elses. The domain name is available, I'm a sole trader with no intentions to go Ltd . so I figure its fair game.

why would you want to be like the other window cleaners in your area and use the same name?

cant you just use your real name? eg DARREN LANE WINDOW CLEANING.

IMO its much better (then people/customers  wont get confused).if the other companies with the same name let people down or do a bad job it could tarnish your reputation.its not worth it.

stand out and be at least a bit original!

Thats why i went with StockClean. its so naff no one wants it...lol

[Nick Day]

From a legal point of view, unless somebody owns the trade mark, you can call your self whatever you want, From a Ltd company perspective you can do the same, but you would have to call your self xxxxxx(Manchester) ltd or wherever you are based.
You should also know that if somebody can show that they had used your name previously, they can do so even if you acquire the trade mark

[The Jester of Wibbly]

Be careful. You might loose out. You will be spending money advertising the company name on van, website and other formats.

The other companies using that name who don't spend anything on getting their name out there will benefit from your spend. A customer will Google your name after seeing your van and might end up with the contact number of another sole trader.

[richard groves]

Be careful. You might loose out. You will be spending money advertising the company name on van, website and other formats.

The other companies using that name who don't spend anything on getting their name out there will benefit from your spend. A customer will Google your name after seeing your van and might end up with the contact number of another sole trader.

Fair point , but the logo I'm designing will also be the website , the others haven't even cottoned on and secured the domain name or even publicise an email or website  e.g. dorsetdecorators.com  it would be easy to remember and designed well easily recognisable without the need for somebody to take down the phone number