Business Name & Trademark Guides
Clear, practical answers to the questions every founder hits when naming a company — written for people doing it for the first time. Each guide includes a live checker so you can test your own name while you read.
How to Check If a Business Name Is Taken
The four places a name can be taken — state registers, the trademark register, domains, and social handles — and how to check each one in minutes.
Read the guideBusiness Name vs. Trademark: What's the Difference?
Registering an LLC does not give you a brand. What state registration actually protects, what a trademark protects, and when you need both.
Read the guideHow Much Does a Trademark Cost in 2026?
Official USPTO, EUIPO, and UK IPO fee ballparks, what attorneys typically charge, and why a $0 search before filing protects a $350 fee.
Read the guideBusiness Name Already Taken? What to Do Next
A decision tree for the bad-news moment: taken where? Coexistence, small variants, or a clean rename — and how to pick fast.
Read the guideTrademark Classes Explained: The 45 Nice Classes
Why two companies can share a name, which classes startups actually file in, and how class choice decides whether a conflict matters.
Read the guideRather just check your name?
Skip the reading — run a free check against live trademark, domain, and social data.
These guides are general information, not legal advice. For legal counsel on trademark registration or disputes, consult a qualified trademark attorney.