Re: sorta OT: company names
On Mon, 2002-09-23 at 18:03, Erik Price wrote: > > > Thanks to everyone who provided input on getting registered. If it's > not too expensive, becoming a LLC sounds like the best move. I'm not > doing any "professional" software development right now, but I don't > want to rule it out. Bear in mind that if you choose to become an LLC, there is regular paperwork that needs to be filed with the state and the fed. An LLC is a taxable entity, even though the taxes flow through the members. Be sure that you're aware of all the paperwork that comes with being an LLC. > The app I'm developing is a simple scheduling system and, as I said, > when I have a beta I'll post the source on Freshmeat. It's to be > written in Java. > > > Erik > > > > -- > Erik Price (zombies roam) > > email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > jabber: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > ___ > gnhlug-discuss mailing list > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > http://mail.gnhlug.org/mailman/listinfo/gnhlug-discuss -- Rob LembreeMetro Link Incorporated 29 Milk St. [EMAIL PROTECTED] Nashua, NH 03064-1651 http://www.metrolink.com Phone: 954.660.2460 Alternate: 603.577.9714 PGP: 1F EE F8 58 30 F1 B1 20 C5 4F 12 21 AD 0D 6B 29 ___ gnhlug-discuss mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://mail.gnhlug.org/mailman/listinfo/gnhlug-discuss
Re: sorta OT: company names
Thanks to everyone who provided input on getting registered. If it's not too expensive, becoming a LLC sounds like the best move. I'm not doing any "professional" software development right now, but I don't want to rule it out. The app I'm developing is a simple scheduling system and, as I said, when I have a beta I'll post the source on Freshmeat. It's to be written in Java. Erik -- Erik Price (zombies roam) email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] jabber: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___ gnhlug-discuss mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://mail.gnhlug.org/mailman/listinfo/gnhlug-discuss
Re: sorta OT: company names
On Fri, Sep 20, 2002 at 01:39:00PM -0400, Erik Price wrote: > Hi, > > This question isn't really related to Linux or Unix specifically, but > I'll ask anyway since I know there are some experienced developers on > this list. > > I am writing a small chunk of software (in Java) that I intend to > release on Freshmeat when I have a beta. I don't have a "company" name > registered in whatever organization keeps track of company names, but > I'd like to use one (even though it's just me hacking in my spare time, > not-for-profit). This is especially significant given that I would use > the name in the software package name, eg > "com.MyCompany.MyApplicationPackage". However, the name that I want to > use was taken by another company about 7 years ago, but I am fairly > certain it longer exists -- there are only 19 hits on Google in > reference to the name, and of those, only a few actually related to the > company. They do not have a web site, nor can I find any contact > information about them. A Wired article indicates that this company > was based out of someone's apartment in New York, whereas I live in > Mass. > > I'm wondering if it's legal to just appropriate the name for my own > use. I'd guess not, but then I wonder how many diners out there are > named "Classic Diner" or what have you. Furthermore, I have the domain > name already. What are the (legal) steps to take so that you can put > "Copyright 2002 My Company" on your software? I'll Second Ray's advice about filing as a DBA. You can even have duplicate company names within the same state as long as they can be distinguished by a town name. One option that is slightly better than a DBA but much cheaper than a corporation is a "LLC". "Limited Liability Corporation" can shelter your personal property from any liabilities created by your business. Being a DBA sole proprietor makes all your personal property vulnerable to liabilities created by your business. -- Jeff Kinz, Director, Emergent Research, Hudson, MA. "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" copyright 2002. Use is restricted. Any use is an acceptance of the offer at http://users.rcn.com/jkinz/policy.html. (¬_-o) //\ eLviintuaxbilse/\\ V_/_ _\_V ___ gnhlug-discuss mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://mail.gnhlug.org/mailman/listinfo/gnhlug-discuss
Re: sorta OT: company names
Erik, If you're in Mass, but not incorporated, then you are a sole proprietor "doing business as" a company. You could hire an attorney, to file the articles of incorporation, and do a trademark search and whatnot, but that will cost on the order of $1,000+. If you do not want to hire an attorney, you could try filing articles of incorporation yourself with the Secretary of State's Office, and I think the application is maybe $200. If you do not want to incorporate at all, but operate a business (consulting, etc.) that is not in your natural name, then you are supposed to register your company with the local city/town hall. That option costs about $20/year. These various types of filings are what give you legitimacy, and start to copyright your use of a particular name if I'm not mistaken. Depending on what this other company did or does, there is even room for two companies to have the same name or overlapping trademarks - if they are in different fields. For example, MAC Enterprises can't be sued for trademark infringement by Apple Computer if MAC Enterprises is a landscaping business run by Michael And Charlie I'm sorry that I don't have better personal advice to givebut I've started and putoff incorporating a couple times without actually doing it yet. Plus, I'm not an attorney obviously, so you'll have to confirm anything I say. Still, I do have some good resources bookmarked at my website at http://freephile.com/bookmarker/search.php3 Do a search with subcategory.name = 'business' . The SBA.gov site is a good one for starters, as is www.buzgate.org. All of this is just my personal experience as a 'sole proprietor' who has entertained the idea of incorporating a few times, but so far has always been to pressed to do other things. Of course, if you end up seeking good legal counsel, there are a few links within my bookmark collection noted above to some of the well-know internet/technology attorneys. hth, Greg Rundlett Sr. Internet Systems Architect FREePHILE.com 978-423-8172 [EMAIL PROTECTED] aim: freephile - Original Message - From: "Erik Price" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Friday, September 20, 2002 1:39 PM Subject: sorta OT: company names > Hi, > > This question isn't really related to Linux or Unix specifically, but > I'll ask anyway since I know there are some experienced developers on > this list. > > I am writing a small chunk of software (in Java) that I intend to > release on Freshmeat when I have a beta. I don't have a "company" name > registered in whatever organization keeps track of company names, but > I'd like to use one (even though it's just me hacking in my spare time, > not-for-profit). This is especially significant given that I would use > the name in the software package name, eg > "com.MyCompany.MyApplicationPackage". However, the name that I want to > use was taken by another company about 7 years ago, but I am fairly > certain it longer exists -- there are only 19 hits on Google in > reference to the name, and of those, only a few actually related to the > company. They do not have a web site, nor can I find any contact > information about them. A Wired article indicates that this company > was based out of someone's apartment in New York, whereas I live in > Mass. > > I'm wondering if it's legal to just appropriate the name for my own > use. I'd guess not, but then I wonder how many diners out there are > named "Classic Diner" or what have you. Furthermore, I have the domain > name already. What are the (legal) steps to take so that you can put > "Copyright 2002 My Company" on your software? > > Thanks for your thoughts, > > > Erik > > > > > > > -- > Erik Price (zombies roam) > > email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > jabber: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > ___ > gnhlug-discuss mailing list > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > http://mail.gnhlug.org/mailman/listinfo/gnhlug-discuss --- -- Greg Rundlett Sr. Internet Systems Architect FREePHILE "Free Software on Linux" [EMAIL PROTECTED] (978) 423-8172 ___ gnhlug-discuss mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://mail.gnhlug.org/mailman/listinfo/gnhlug-discuss
Re: sorta OT: company names
Call your local Secretary of State and register the name as a DBA (Doing Business As). Costs under a $100 (don't remember, may even be as low as $25). If you represent yourself under a different name, you should present yourself as such. They will do a search to see if there are conflicts. Ray -- - Raymond CoteAppropriate Solutions, Inc. www.AppropriateSolutions.com rgacote(at)AppropriateSolutions.com 603.924.6079(v) POB 458, Peterborough, NH 03458603.924.8668(f) ___ gnhlug-discuss mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://mail.gnhlug.org/mailman/listinfo/gnhlug-discuss
sorta OT: company names
Hi, This question isn't really related to Linux or Unix specifically, but I'll ask anyway since I know there are some experienced developers on this list. I am writing a small chunk of software (in Java) that I intend to release on Freshmeat when I have a beta. I don't have a "company" name registered in whatever organization keeps track of company names, but I'd like to use one (even though it's just me hacking in my spare time, not-for-profit). This is especially significant given that I would use the name in the software package name, eg "com.MyCompany.MyApplicationPackage". However, the name that I want to use was taken by another company about 7 years ago, but I am fairly certain it longer exists -- there are only 19 hits on Google in reference to the name, and of those, only a few actually related to the company. They do not have a web site, nor can I find any contact information about them. A Wired article indicates that this company was based out of someone's apartment in New York, whereas I live in Mass. I'm wondering if it's legal to just appropriate the name for my own use. I'd guess not, but then I wonder how many diners out there are named "Classic Diner" or what have you. Furthermore, I have the domain name already. What are the (legal) steps to take so that you can put "Copyright 2002 My Company" on your software? Thanks for your thoughts, Erik -- Erik Price (zombies roam) email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] jabber: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___ gnhlug-discuss mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://mail.gnhlug.org/mailman/listinfo/gnhlug-discuss
