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How To Build A Business - Protecting Your Idea

Business Name

The name of your business is your identity and will become one of your most important business assets. You will likely invest considerable time and money in that name for the purposes of developing your business and attracting customers.

Before investing money in a name, and before publishing the name, make sure the name you hope to use isn’t already in some manner reserved with the Secretary of State. You can be sure the name you have chosen is available by submitting a registration to the Secretary of State in the name you have chosen. You can contact the Secretary of State’s Business Division to check if the name you’ve chosen is available, however, a verbal confirmation that your chosen name is available does not reserve the name.

Secretary of State 600 E. Boulevard Ave. Dept. 108 Bismarck, ND 58505-0500 701.328.4284 800.352.0867 (option 2) Email: sosbir@nd.gov sos.nd.gov

When you have determined availability of the name, register or reserve the name with the Secretary of State before investing money in the name. The registration must be filed with the Secretary of State to reserve that name on your behalf.

Other Help:

Trademark Registration
Patent Registration
Copyright Registration
US Patent & Trademark Depository
Chester Fritz Library Box 9000 Grand Forks, ND 58202-9000 701.777.4888 Fax: 701.777.4811
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