Once you know what your business is going to be, what you are going to call it, and the products or services you will be selling – you need to make sure you won’t be infringing on someone else’s protected idea or name! But before you spend money on hiring someone to do research for you, you can save money by doing some of the legwork yourself. Depending on where you plan on doing business and what your business will be, you may then need a professional to do further research and/or give you advice on your options. For example, just because a name is being used or trademarked by someone else, it doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t own it for another purpose.
– Check in with your local town or city hall to find out if anyone has filed a DBA (“Doing Business As” registration) using the name you are considering for your business.
– Call your secretary of state’s office (or in some states you can search online) and find out if there is a corporation, LLC or other business entity with the name you wish to use. Also check to see if a trade or servicemark has been registered.( In Massachusetts, https://www.sec.state.ma.us/)