2 businesses with almost same name

[beareyouseae]

Ok, I just started a lawn care company in late 2011(November). I was already doing a little business that year, but not licensed, under a different name. When I got licensed(November) I had to change the name of the company, because there was already one with that name(although I never heard of it before). I changed it to Cutting Edge Property Maintenance. So, here is where the problem lies. A few days ago I saw an ad on-line for another landscape company with the similar name, Cutting Edge Lawn Care. I checked them out on-line on the department of revenue and saw that they registered last year on December just a few weeks after I registered my company. So not exactly the same name, but very close. Does anyone know how to solve this problem, as it will most likely cause confusion with customers on both ends. Any help will be appreciated, thanks.

[bruces]

Lawn care business tips

the names are not exactly the same ,so I dont think you can do anything about it ,but wherever you registered your business name would have better knowledge of your situation .

[thegroundscrew]

There are tons of similar names out there and it doesn't matter. My company name is The Grounds Crew but there is also The Grounds Guys and The Grounds Crew LLC in my area. But my customers are easily able to distinguish the difference mainly because of website and other social media sites. Not a big deal so don't worry about it just provide exceedingly better service.

[beareyouseae]

Yeah I was kind of thinking that there might not be anything that could be done, but it is kind of weird that we both opened up around the same time and with similar names. Groundscrew, you bring up a great point. Quality is more important than the name which, will show the overall difference between the both of us in the long run. Hope this won't be too much of an inconvenience for the company this year.

[SECTLANDSCAPING]

Had the same problem my business Southeastern CT Landscaping the other South Eastern CT Tree service. We're registered in different towns but service the same areas. I had customers ask me about it before and I had to explain its a different company. Another confusing part is I have 2 green trucks and two red trucks. This company runs only green trucks.

I think youll be ok. They do sound like there affiliated with you like my situation. You just have to distinguish yourself. I would say groundscrew has it the worst. Since the LLC name looks exactly the same.

[Steve]

I think if you register the name first you could probably get an attorney to force them to change their name, even if it is not exact.

You might even be able to find a cease and desist for a business name letter example on the internet you could use and send out.

Keep us posted on what you decide to do.

[Ducke]

This is why they tell you to think up a unique company name.
AAA lawn Care, Bobs Lawn Care, Cut above Lawn Care, Green Side Up Lawn Care etc all very generic.We have a Cut Above Lawn Care here in my town.
You have to think of something that will stand out. the name I really like is Justin's company name he did a play on words with his name "Justin Time Yard Services" very unique, I chose Ducke's as that is my nick name ( I take to things like a duck in water) and I researched to make sure there was no other just in case.

Just saying.
Graham
aka: Ducke

[Hedgemaster]

Each state may be different, but in PA the ONLY way you can have a unique name is to pay to register it (I forget what the proper term for it is) and if I recall correctly, you can only do so if you are a company/LLC.

Sole proprietors can register the EXACT same name as the guy next door, but they can NOT use the same name as someone who has paid for a "unique" name.

[SECTLANDSCAPING]

Originally Posted by Hedgemaster

Each state may be different, but in PA the ONLY way you can have a unique name is to pay to register it (I forget what the proper term for it is) and if I recall correctly, you can only do so if you are a company/LLC.

Sole proprietors can register the EXACT same name as the guy next door, but they can NOT use the same name as someone who has paid for a "unique" name.

This is the same in CT. Found this out talking to another landscaper then I researched in myself.

I did take the time to make sure noone had my company name. The people that do have something similar have no website, phone listing, etc. If I didnt see the truck I wouldve never known.

[Hedgemaster]

Originally Posted by SECTLANDSCAPING

This is the same in CT. Found this out talking to another landscaper then I researched in myself.

I did take the time to make sure noone had my company name. The people that do have something similar have no website, phone listing, etc. If I didnt see the truck I wouldve never known.

Yeah, as I was working on a name (wasn't interested in the "family name" thing), I found that nearly everything I could come up with was either not available (because it was a company with a "unique" name registered, or they were too close to me for my comfort. Just because I CAN use the same name as another guy doesn't mean it's a good idea.

I came up with Oak Leaf Lawn Service. There's an "Oak Leaf Landscaping" or something on the far end of the state, so I figured that shouldn't be an issue, PLUS if I should decide to become a company instead of a sole proprietorship, I can pay to have my name as a unique name since it's slightly different than the "other" Oak Leaf.

That said, I was in my local dealer once and saw a guy with an "Oak Leaf" t-shirt! I can't recall if it was "Lawn Service" or "Landscaping, or whatever, but it was a LOCAL number on the shirt. I was pi$$ed - I had spent a TON of time researching the state website to be sure I didn't duplicate a local business name. I assume he's running it illegally, because it would have been listed otherwise.