DBA vs. Legal Business Name: When a Filing Protects Your Brand and Bank Account
File a DBA to bank and bill under your brand name — it links the trade name to your legal owner, and the IRS lists it as your EIN's trade name.
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Business Names
Business name registration and trademark accounting
DBA vs. Trademark vs. LLC Name: What Actually Protects Your Business Name
Only a trademark stops copycats: a DBA grants zero exclusive rights, and an LLC name only blocks same-named entities in your state.
You Just Got a Cease-and-Desist Letter: What to Do in the First 48 Hours
A cease-and-desist letter is not a court order. Verify the claim, preserve evidence, and reply on your timeline; silence or a hasty apology can cost you.
LLC Administratively Dissolved? Reinstatement, Back Fees, and Your Liability Shield
Most states let a dissolved LLC reinstate by filing missed reports and paying back fees, but the gap can expose owners personally and free up your name.
Your Trademark Registration Expires If You Ignore It: The Section 8, Section 9, and Section 15 Filings Every Owner Must Calendar
Your trademark needs a Section 8 filing between years 5–6 and a combined Section 8/9 renewal every decade — miss the grace period and the USPTO cancels it.
Understanding DBA: A Complete Guide to 'Doing Business As' Names
Learn what a DBA (Doing Business As) name is and how it allows business owners to operate under a name different from their legal name, simplifying branding and legal requirements.