Copyright

[rjlstar]

How do I find out if a name or logo is already taken by a company?

[Ian]

My first suggstion is to do a search for that name on google and see what results you get. Post the name and I'll help you look if you like.

[rjlstar]

rolo designs

[kdjoergensen]

There is a dutch website who features that name:
http://www.rolo-design.nl/

Also remember that Rolo is a brand name in jewlery, so if you feature jewlery then I would not use the name. But if you are designing webpages for example, it is ok to reuse a name as long as you are not trying to give false indication of a relationship to the other brand.

e.g. you can probably have a rolo design webdesign page or a rolo design clothes manufacturing site, or a rolo design bicycle building website, but don't use the name if you sell products already closely related to existing brands.

Certain very famous names: microsoft, walmart, mcdonalds, ibm etc can be hard to use without being associated with the main company and as such should be avoided. e.g. even if a laboratory website wanted to use the microsoft name to sell their tissue culture samples it would probably still be mistaken for the computer software developper and should be avoided. But rolo design for webpages will probably not be confused with the jewlery brands.

It is perfectly legal to use the same name as long as there is clearly no confusion (e.g. a fruit stand with the name Apple will have no problem defending their case against the computer maker, but a webdesign company would probably be in trouble).

GOod luck.

[rjlstar]

So something like Del Computers (missing the second L) is not acceptable? It's hard to get a name with no money to copyright it.

[kevin]

you don't copyright company names, you trademark them if applicable.

The place to start is the Hall of Records or the small business administration in your county. Call them and ask what you need to do to file for a business license, they will give you all the info you need.

You are way ahead of yourself worrying about a trademark but here is the place to start: http://www.uspto.gov/ its $325 to file an application but will take years to complete the process.

[rjlstar]

I just don't want to get sued to the end of the world if i pick a company name that already exists.

[kevin]

even if you picked a name that was trademarked and in use you would first be contacted to stop using the name or the trademark before a lawsuit was filed.