NFP DBA and what that means?

[Jo Guthrie]

I’m not clear that we have to? My question is whether or not our business name is covered already by the DBA. $350-$700 is a large chunk of our budget.

[David Roth weiss]

[Jo Guthrie] “I’m not clear that we have to? My question is whether or not our business name is covered already by the DBA.”

Jo,

What you have never stated is why you are even concerned about any of this. Are you thinking somebody in your area is really going to try to capitalize on your company’s name, or do you think you’re going to be so different that you’ll have something so valuable just in a name?

Unregistered trademarks are used all the time, and at a later date, if you find you really have something valuable, you can register the trademark then. Plus, using an unregistered trademark does not necessarily mean that someone coming along after you can suddenly start using your name or that catchy phrase you been using. If you have a proven and profitable history of using those terms that will often suffice if you’re ever forced to defend against someone encroaching on your turf.

Is it safer to register? Sure!!! But is it necessary, heck no…

David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los Angeles

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[Jo Guthrie]

Thank you for all your help on this. Your advice has been VERY helpful.