It’s not uncommon for a business to operate using a name different from the “official” or legal true name on its official incorporation or formation documents. For example, IBM is really International Business Machines, Inc. and A&P is really The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company. Or, a company with several divisions may want to do business under various names. Or, a sole proprietor may want to do business as “Peach Grove Landscaping” instead of Sam Jones.

If you’re doing business using a name other than your legal name, your state might require a voluntary assumed name filing, or DBA (doing business as) filing. Depending on your state, this kind of filing might be called assumed name, DBA, fictitious name, or a similar designation.

This White Paper by CT’s compliance experts describes DBA, what they are, what they do and also what they don’t do (e.g., they typically don’t provide “trademark” protection, which requires other types of registrations). Equipped with this information, you’ll gain a better understanding of how you could protect yourself and your business from noncompliance while using voluntary assumed names for your products or services.

Topics Included

• Why Use An Assumed Name?
• Assumed Name Statutes
• Assumed Name Filing Procedures
• Penalties for Non-Compliance