I was getting very antsy during my business registration class earlier today. We were talking about reserving and trademarking our business names and some of the things (all bad) that can happen if you don't. I, um, haven't reserved the Powder Boutique name yet. That didn't stop me from getting a website and printing business cards though! Needless to say, I was in a big hurry to get home and find out if another business was using my name (or the other way around.)
A couple of web searches during my naming phase a couple months ago indicated that Powder Boutique probably wasn't being used in the US (I say probably because I learned that Google isn't the only way to do your due diligence- who knew?) but that the name was being used in the UK, and I figured that didn't matter. But I think it didn't matter to me because I liked the name and really wanted to use it for the boutique. I like getting what I want- show me someone who doesn't!
Ok- moment of truth time! I'm going to check with the Virginia SCC... Yes! Powder Boutique (or anything close to it, for that matter) isn't being used in Virginia. On to check the Patent and Trademark Office site... and... the connection timed out. Trying again... and I'm in luck! No Powder Boutiques have been trademarked! Powderfish, however, is off limits.
Well, that's good news! And you can bet that now I'll be paying the $10 to reserve my name with the state. Now if I could only figure out a way to stop giving myself heart attacks in class I'll be all set!
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