{"id":983,"date":"2020-12-09T00:34:00","date_gmt":"2020-12-09T00:34:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/nz.legalvision.com.au\/?p=983"},"modified":"2023-01-16T20:17:31","modified_gmt":"2023-01-16T07:17:31","slug":"register-business-name-new-zealand","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.nz\/intellectual-property\/register-business-name-new-zealand\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Register a Business Name in New Zealand"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">When you start a new business, choosing its name can be exciting. Ideally, you want the name to be simple, catchy and scalable while conveying meaning about your business. Before settling on a name, it is a good idea to test it on people as well as check whether it is available. If you register a business name too similar to other existing ones, you could breach New Zealand <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.nz\/intellectual-property\/intellectual-property-types\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">intellectual property<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> (IP) laws. This article will discuss how you can register your business name and why protecting your business name and brand is essential.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">How to Choose a Business Name<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The secret to choosing a successful business name is to keep it simple while still allowing you to stand out from the crowd. Brainstorming can be an excellent exercise to allow your creative juices to flow. <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"box box--icon box--info\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Key tips for choosing a great business name include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">choosing a business name that can be scaled if your business grows;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">searching with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.business.govt.nz\/onecheck\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">ONECheck<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> to ensure that it is not too similar to other names, as this could result in breaching IP laws; and<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">understanding that your registered business name can be different from your trading name if you would like it to be.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Before You Register Your Name<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Once you decide on a name, search for it using ONECheck to make sure another business has not already taken it. This free service also allows you to check whether the following is available:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">a web domain;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.nz\/intellectual-property\/register-trade-mark\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">trade marks<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">; and<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">social media usernames.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"box box--icon box--star\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If your name has not been taken, you can reserve it, register your domain name, and create social media usernames.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Domain Name Commission NZ is responsible for New Zealand\u2019s domain name registrations. You can separately use their website to assess if your domain name is registered. You should also check that a suitable domain name is available before:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">registering your business name; or<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">applying to register a trade mark for your business name.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<a href=\"#content-next\"\n   class=\"block p-4 mt-10 text-xl font-bold text-center text-white no-underline bg-gray-800 rounded-t-xl\">\n    Continue reading this article below the form\n    <i class=\"text-xl fa-regular fa-arrow-down\"><\/i>\n<\/a>\n<div class=\"px-6 pt-10 pb-12 mb-10 text-center bg-gray-100 rounded-b-xl sm:px-12 test\">\n    <div class=\"mb-8 text-2xl font-bold text-orange\">\n        Need legal advice?\n        <br>\n        <span class=\"text-lg not-prose\">\n                            Call <a href=\"tel:+64800005570\" class=\"not-prose\">0800 005 570<\/a> for urgent assistance.\n                <br>\n                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There are strict guidelines around this. For example, your company name cannot:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">be identical (or almost identical) to other companies;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">breach New Zealand law (be offensive, contrary to public policy or use words protected by law such as Flag);<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">include symbols or numbers unless they are used in an acceptable context or act as a numerical marker; or<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">use macrons (horizontal lines above words), except where being used within a M\u0101ori name.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Note that the name of a limited liability company must end in Limited or Tapui Limited.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"box box--icon box--info\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You can apply to reserve your company name online. It only costs $10 to do this. To make an application, you will need to create an account with RealMe to access and use the Companies Office Register.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">After you submit your request to reserve your company name, the Companies Office will confirm whether your name is eligible for registration. They usually do this within two working hours.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Once the reservation request is approved, you will be notified that you have 20 working days to incorporate your company using that reserved name. Your name reservation will expire if you do not incorporate your company within 20 working days. In that case, you would need to apply to reserve the name for another 20 working days, and incur a further $10 fee.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You will be provided reasons if the Companies Office rejects your name. In that case, you would need to reassess your name and reapply once you have determined a more suitable name.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">How to Register for a NZBN as a Sole Trader or Partnership<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you are starting a business as a sole trader or partnership (rather than a company), it is a good idea to<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nzbn.govt.nz\/get-an-nzbn\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">register for a New Zealand Business Number (NZBN)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. Your NZBN number is a unique identifier for your business, making it easier to liaise with others.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You can apply for free on the NZBN website by:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">logging in with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.realme.govt.nz\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">RealMe\u00ae<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">providing your business\u2019 IRD number and proof of identity; and<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">creating a user account with the NZBN Register.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You will be assigned a NZBN automatically if you incorporate a company.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">How to Protect Your Name with a Trade Mark&nbsp;<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">For many businesses, their name is a valuable asset, as it forms part of their IP. Therefore, it is a good idea to protect and manage it like any other property right. You can do this by <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.iponz.govt.nz\/about-ip\/trade-marks\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">registering a trade mark with IPONZ<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. The application process includes:&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">searching for competing trade marks (and applying for an additional search and preliminary advice report if needed);<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">deciding whether you want to trade mark a word, image or both;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">deciding who should own the trade mark (most often the business but in some instances an individual or holding company);&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">determining which specification your goods and services fall into; and<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">creating a user account with IPONZ.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Bear in mind that if a non-owner is using it, there should be a licensing agreement in place to permit that use (and set out the parameters for doing so).&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Some of the benefits of protecting your name and brand include having:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">exclusive rights to use your trade mark within New Zealand;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">legal protection to stop others from trying to copy your brand;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">an intangible asset that increases in value over time; and<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">the option to sell or assign your trade mark to another person or business, or license its use to other parties.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">As long as you do not let your trade mark lapse, you can protect your business name and brand indefinitely. You can renew your trade mark every ten years.<\/span><\/p>\n    <div class=\"my-7 lg:my-10 border-y-2 border-gray-100 py-7 lg:py-10 flex flex-col sm:flex-row items-start gap-10\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"w-52 mx-auto my-0! rounded\" src=\"https:\/\/img.legalvision.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/10\/28132215\/trade-mark-essentials-NZ.jpg\" alt=\"Front page of publication\"\n                 loading=\"lazy\" width=\"208\" height=\"298\">\n                <section>\n            <div class=\"text-2xl font-bold\">Trade Mark Essentials in New Zealand<\/div>\n            <div class=\"body-text\">\n                <p>Our free Trade Mark Essentials in New Zealand guide explains how to register and defend your trade mark registration.<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n            \n\n<a href=\"https:\/\/go.legalvision.co.nz\/nz-trade-mark-guide.html\" class=\" block px-5 py-3.5 max-w-fit bg-orange button__hover transition rounded text-white font-bold text-lg no-underline uppercase leading-tight text-center\" target=\"\" rel=\"\">Download Now<\/a>        <\/section>\n    <\/div>\n\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Key Takeaways<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">There are various methods of registering and protecting your business name in New Zealand, depending on your business structure. Regardless, be sure to consider the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">when you are incorporating a new company, you need to reserve a name with the Companies Office as a first step to incorporation;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">when you operate as a sole trader or partnership, you can register for a NZBN; and<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">regardless of the business structure you choose, you should register a trade mark with IPONZ to protect your name and brand.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you need help registering your business name or trade mark, our experienced <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.nz\/ip-lawyers-lp\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">intellectual property lawyers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> can assist as part of our LegalVision membership. For a low monthly fee, you will have unlimited access to lawyers to answer your questions and draft and review your documents. Call us today on <a href=\"tel:+64800005570\" class=\"AVANSERnumber dynamic-number\">0800 005 570<\/a> or visit our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.nz\/membership\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">membership page<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1673239063853\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>How do I reserve my New Zealand business name?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Before you reserve a business name, ensure no other business in New Zealand is using it (or a similar version). You can conduct a free search using ONECheck. This service allows you to reserve your name if it is available. If you want to incorporate a company, you need to choose and reserve your company name with the Companies Office.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1673239276462\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>Can I use the word &#8216;company&#8217; in my business name?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">No laws in New Zealand prevent you from using the word \u2018company\u2019 in your business name. However, you must ensure you do not infringe existing trade marks or use restricted words. For example, you cannot use the same name as a registered company, especially if you are both in the same field.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When you start a new business, choosing its name can be exciting. Ideally, you want the name to be simple, catchy and scalable while conveying meaning about your business. Before settling on a name, it is a good idea to test it on people as well as check whether it is available. If you register<a href=\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.nz\/intellectual-property\/register-business-name-new-zealand\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"sr-only\">&#8220;How to Register a Business Name in New Zealand&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13267,"featured_media":884,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"1205,202036,153,1559,1176,202223","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","editor_notices":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,12],"tags":[24,25,51,54,113,670,1333],"class_list":["post-983","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-intellectual-property","category-trademarks","tag-startup","tag-small-business","tag-intellectual-property","tag-medium-business","tag-business-name","tag-onecheck","tag-companies-office"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.1.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How to Register a Business Name | LegalVision New Zealand<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Are you starting a new business in New Zealand? 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She graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from Bond University in 2018.","url":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.nz\/author\/emilyyoung\/"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.nz\/intellectual-property\/register-business-name-new-zealand\/#faq-question-1673239063853","name":"How do I reserve my New Zealand business name?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Before you reserve a business name, ensure no other business in New Zealand is using it (or a similar version). You can conduct a free search using ONECheck. This service allows you to reserve your name if it is available. If you want to incorporate a company, you need to choose and reserve your company name with the Companies Office.","inLanguage":"en-NZ"},"inLanguage":"en-NZ"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.nz\/intellectual-property\/register-business-name-new-zealand\/#faq-question-1673239276462","name":"Can I use the word 'company' in my business name?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"No laws in New Zealand prevent you from using the word \u2018company\u2019 in your business name. However, you must ensure you do not infringe existing trade marks or use restricted words. 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