Recently one of my VA colleagues wrote about her shock and sadness at finding out someone in a different state had registered the same business name as her. She has been in business for 4 years and the other person registered the same name last April. It was a huge lesson for her as she had assumed that once registered, no one else could register it but that is not the case in Australia - unless you trademark or set up a Pty Ltd. Different people in different states can register the same business name. She is in the process of seeking legal advice to see where she stands and where to from here.

It prompted me to have another think about Net Secretary and how much it has become part of my identity over the past four years. It defines exactly what I do (an Internet Secretary or Virtual Assistant) and I am proud that I dreamed up the name and tag line myself. I have done a few searches over the years and no one has yet registered the name in any other state that I am aware of. I have also explored the path of trademarking but I think I need to engage the services of an experienced IP solicitor to do this for me as I think it is more complicated than simply applying. I believe you have to have a case as back-up. So this is something I am seriously thinking about again.

I am certainly not an expert when it comes to registering a business name  but probably a good idea to do your homework and research.

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