Is my business name too similar to another business' name?

[anewbiz]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Virginia

I recently started a new business and unfortunately after filing for incorporation I found out that there's another business with a somewhat similar name.

Suppose my business name is "DoggyLectric," and there is another company named "Dog Electric," am I screwed? The companies are somewhat similar, although my company is more targeted towards selling hobby stuff while the other sells more like industrial stuff.

I would like to trademark my company name, but I'm afraid of getting in trouble..

What do you think?

 

[BigMouthWino]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Virginia

I recently started a new business and unfortunately after filing for incorporation I found out that there's another business with a somewhat similar name.

Suppose my business name is "DoggyLectric," and there is another company named "Dog Electric," am I screwed? The companies are somewhat similar, although my company is more targeted towards selling hobby stuff while the other sells more like industrial stuff.

I would like to trademark my company name, but I'm afraid of getting in trouble..

What do you think?

I think you're fine. You have a different name that targets a different customer base so it's not as though your customers would think you were the other company and do business with you because of that.

 

[justalayman]

have you checked to see if their name is a registered trademark, either at the state level or federal?

as to confusion? Absolutely. They are obvious homophones.

The companies are somewhat similar, although my company is more targeted towards selling hobby stuff while the other sells more like industrial stuff.

so you both sell electrical supplies? Your argument of target markets sounds like there will be overlap in your overall demographic although your intended or target demographic will differ, some. I see it kind of like this: I sell cookies..You sell cookies.. You sell them at the fancy mall. I sell them at the flea market. In reality, we are selling the same product to the same market; the general public.

so, you have similar products with the possibility of actually carrying some of the same products. You are selling to people involved with electrical work or hobby. Hobbyists often source parts at industrial suppliers. It sounds like your name is created intentionally to cause confusion.

Yep, I think you have a problem.

 

[FlyingRon]

Company names only need to meet the uniqueness standards of the State Corporation Commission. You'll probably be OK there.

However, if you want to use your company name as a trademark and someone is using a similar company name as a trademark, the trademarks may infringe on each other.