can i use the same name as a foreign company?

_TKO_ · #1 03-12-2007, 06:34 PM

If there's a Swedish company named XYZ, can I have a Canadian company also named XYZ without causing a lawsuit?

Patrick del Poker Grande · #2 03-12-2007, 06:38 PM

I think it all depends on whether the Swedish company has registered their name as some sort of TradeMark/Copyright in Canada.

curtis012 · #3 03-12-2007, 06:39 PM

Yup, and it also depends on whether their reputation extends to Canada.

_TKO_ · #4 03-12-2007, 06:47 PM

Any idea where I can find this out?

busguy · #5 03-12-2007, 06:51 PM

Every city has a business development centre or the like where you can get information on starting up a company. There you can do a "name search" and get info on incorporating a company and trademarking a name.

Look under the Provincial listings in your Telephone book.

edit : or maybe start with these guys : http://www.sbcentre.ca/index.htm