What is a Tradename and Does My Business Need One?
A trade name is any name, other than the legal name, under which a business operates. A trade name may be used by an individual, a corporation, or anyone else conducting business in Colorado. For instance, if John Doe does business under “The Best Painting Company That Could”, his trade name would be “The Best Painting Company That Could” unless he has registered a corporation in Colorado called “The Best Painting Company That Could.” State and federal law governs trade names. Both common law and statutory law protect trade names in Colorado. Under federal law, a business or individual registers a trade name as a trademark. The Lanham Act usually protects trademarks (there are some additional laws that protect trademarks in regards to importation of goods and other areas). When an individual or business uses a trade name in Colorado, even if not registered, the user may have a common law right to the name. Therefore, it is best to do some research before deciding on a trade name. I usu
