Customers often inquire whether the reservation and filing of a corporation protects the name of the business. While it may protect the business name with the Secretary of State in the state where the corporation or LLC is filed, it does not necessarily protect the name as a trademark.

Trademarks can include any words, phrases, symbols or designs that identify and distinguish the source of the goods. There are numerous advantages to securing federal registration of a trademark. Perhaps the most important advantage is that federally registered trademarks are national in scope, regardless of the actual geographic use of the mark. Hence, trademark protection will protect your business name, which is distinct from filing for a corporation or LLC with the Secretary of State.