{"id":7718,"date":"2025-05-21T10:23:02","date_gmt":"2025-05-21T09:23:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pkfbofidi.com\/?p=7718"},"modified":"2025-05-21T10:36:01","modified_gmt":"2025-05-21T09:36:01","slug":"trade-name-company-name-or-brand-what-do-you-need-to-know-as-a-starting-entrepreneur","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pkfbofidi.com\/en\/trade-name-company-name-or-brand-what-do-you-need-to-know-as-a-starting-entrepreneur\/","title":{"rendered":"Trade name, company name or brand: what do you need to know as a (starting) entrepreneur?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Company name<\/h2>\n

The company name<\/strong> is the official name of your company and serves to identify the company in economic transactions. This name is included in the deed of incorporation and the articles of association of the company<\/strong> and is published in the Belgian Official Gazette. From the publication, the protection of the company name extends to the whole of Belgium.<\/p>\n

As an entrepreneur, it is best to choose a company name that is different from existing names to avoid confusion. It is expected that you act diligently and conduct prior research. In case of confusion, this may possibly lead to a claim for damages.<\/p>\n

Trade name<\/h2>\n

The trade name<\/strong> is the name under which your business participates in economic transactions. The protection of the trade name is linked to the business and applies within the geographical area where the business is actually active<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The trade name can be identical to the company name, but this is not mandatory. The trade name does not need to be distinctive and can therefore be descriptive, as long as there is no confusion with existing names or brands.<\/p>\n

As an entrepreneur, you automatically enjoy the protection of your trade name without the need for registration. The mere use of it \u2013 for example on letterhead, website, marketing or promotional material \u2013 is sufficient, provided you can prove the actual use. The protection as a trade name applies as long as you actually use the trade name.<\/p>\n

In concrete terms, this means that if your business offers goods or services in a certain region, such as Antwerp, and you can prove the use of the trade name, the protection is limited to that region. A potential competitor who carries out similar activities under a similar name in, for example, Leuven, does not in principle violate any rules based on trade name law. The possibilities to act against this based on trade name law are limited, although there may possibly be an unfair market practice.<\/p>\n

As an entrepreneur, it is therefore important to research existing trade names, company names or brands before choosing a trade name to avoid legal disputes.<\/p>\n

What about a brand?<\/h2>\n

Finally, it is interesting for you as an entrepreneur to consider registering the chosen name or logo as a brand. A brand gives you an exclusive right to use<\/strong> a word, logo, slogan, pattern, color or a combination thereof within a certain geographical area and for certain goods and services.<\/p>\n

In any case, you should remember the following as an entrepreneur:<\/p>\n