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  • Trust

    Trust

    • Acknowledgement of Trust (already own asset) - $165
    • Change Appointor and/or Guardian of Family Trust - $110
    • Change of Name of Family Trust - $88
    • Change Trustee of Family Trust - $110
    • Dealing with Forgiven Debts (White Paper) - $55
    • Debt Recognition (including pre-Div 7A Loans) - $33
    • Declaration of Trust (before you buy) - $99
    • Div 7A Loan Agreement - $65
    • Div 7A Loan Agreement for UPE - $55
    • Family Trust - $165
    • Family Trust - Streaming & Bamford Update - $165
    • Family Trust - Update to Allow Change of Appointor and Guardian - $165
    • Family Trust - Update to allow Sole Trustee - $55
    • Family Trust - Update to Exclude Foreign Persons (NSW) - $198
    • Family Trust - Vesting - $259
    • Forgiveness of Debt - $121
    • Opening Minutes for the Unit Trust - $33
    • Partnership Deed - $220
    • Release of Unpaid Trust Entitlement - $121
    • The new small business restructure roll-over rules in practice (White Paper) - $55
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2008/09 - $99
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2009/10 - $99
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2010/11 - $99
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2011/12 - $99
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2012/13 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2012/13 - Single-Use - $110
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2013/14 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2013/14 - Single-Use - $110
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2014/15 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2014/15 - Single-Use - $110
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2015/16 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2015/16 - Single-Use - $110
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2016/17 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2016/17 - Single-Use - $110
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2017/18 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2017/18 - Single-Use - $110
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2018/19 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2018/19 - Single-Use - $110
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2019/20 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2019/20 - Single-Use - $121
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2020/21 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2020/21 - Single-Use - $121
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2021/22 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2021/22 - Single-Use - $121
    • Unit Trust - $149
    • Unit Trust - Add New Member Kit - $110
  • Superannuation

    Superannuation

    • Acknowledgement of Trust (already own asset) - $165
    • Commercial Lease - $250
    • Declaration of Trust (before you buy) - $99
    • Derivative Risk Statement for SMSF - $65
    • Investment Strategy for Self Managed Super 15/16 - $65
    • Investment Strategy for Self Managed Super 16/17 - $65
    • Investment Strategy for Self Managed Super 17/18 - $65
    • Investment Strategy for Self Managed Super 18/19 - $65
    • Investment Strategy for Self Managed Super 19/20 - $65
    • Investment Strategy for Self Managed Super 20/21 - $65
    • Investment Strategy for Self Managed Super 21/22 - $65
    • Pension Pack for Self Managed Super - $299
    • Product Disclosure Statement (general) - $66
    • Product Disclosure Statement (Pension only) - $99
    • Self Managed Superannuation Fund Deed - $149
    • SMSF - Minute to Appoint Administrator - $33
    • SMSF - Minute to Appoint an Auditor - $33
    • SMSF - Minute to Approve Financial Statements - $33
    • SMSF - Minute to Approve Financial Statements 07/08 - $33
    • SMSF - Minute to Approve Financial Statements 08/09 - $33
    • SMSF - Minute to Approve Financial Statements 09/10 - $33
    • SMSF - Minute to Insure The Members - $33
    • SMSF - Update Rules - $165
    • SMSF Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangement - $220
    • SMSF Restricted Commercial Property Assessment - $695
    • SMSF Restricted Residential Property Assessment - $315
    • Statutory Declaration - $0
  • Estate Planning

    Estate Planning

    • Buy Sell Agreement Company - $197
    • Codicil to change the Executor - $99
    • Confidentiality Agreement (Non Disclosure) - $99
    • Debt Recognition (including pre-Div 7A Loans) - $33
    • Enduring Power of Attorney - NSW - $55
    • Enduring Power of Attorney - SA - $55
    • Enduring Power of Attorney - WA - $55
    • Enduring Power of Attorney (Financial, Personal/Health) - QLD - $55
    • Enduring Power of Guardianship - NSW - $55
    • Enduring Power of Guardianship - WA - $55
    • Power Of Attorney By Company - $99
    • Will - Married or Defacto No Children - $95
    • Will - Married or Defacto with Children - $95
    • Will - Single No Children - $110
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  • Commercial

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    • Advanced Legal Health Check for Businesses - $18
    • Buy a House with Friends Agreement - $110
    • Commercial Lease - $250
    • Confidentiality Agreement (Non Disclosure) - $99
    • Co-Owners Agreement - $110
    • Dealing with Forgiven Debts (White Paper) - $55
    • Debt Recognition (including pre-Div 7A Loans) - $33
    • Debt Recovery Kit - Qld - $44
    • Declaration of Trust (before you buy) - $99
    • Demand and Statement of Claim for Debt - NSW - $88
    • Demand and Summons for Debt - VIC - $88
    • Demand and Summons for Debt - WA - $88
    • Div 7A Loan Agreement - $65
    • Div 7A Loan Agreement for UPE - $55
    • Forgiveness of Debt - $121
    • Loan Agreement (No Security) - $110
    • Release of Unpaid Trust Entitlement - $121
    • Statutory Declaration - $0
    • Terms of Trade (Non ROT) - $132
    • The new small business restructure roll-over rules in practice (White Paper) - $55
  • Employment

    Employment

    • Confidentiality Agreement (Non Disclosure) - $99
    • Employment - Conduct Issues Letter - $33
    • Employment - Employee Expenses Policy - $55
    • Employment - Performance Issues Letter - $33
    • Employment - Request for Medical Information - $33
    • Employment - Termination Letter - $33
    • Employment - Transferring Employee Letter - $33
    • Employment Contract - $99
    • Independent Contractors Agreement - $99
    • Partnership Deed - $220
    • Statutory Declaration - $0
  • Company

    Company

    • Acknowledgement of Trust (already own asset) - $165
    • Adopt Committee Recommendations kit - $33
    • Appoint a Committee kit - $33
    • Appoint an Alternate Director kit - $33
    • Appoint Managing Director & Confer Powers kit - $33
    • Buy a House with Friends Agreement - $110
    • Buy Sell Agreement Company - $197
    • Change Registered Office kit - $33
    • Commercial Lease - $250
    • Company (ELodgement) - $631
    • Company (No Elodgement) - $99
    • Company Constitution Update - $99
    • Confidentiality Agreement (Non Disclosure) - $99
    • Co-Owners Agreement - $110
    • Debt Recognition (including pre-Div 7A Loans) - $33
    • Declaration of Trust (before you buy) - $99
    • Demand and Statement of Claim for Debt - NSW - $88
    • Demand and Summons for Debt - VIC - $88
    • Demand and Summons for Debt - WA - $88
    • Director‘s Indemnity Agreement - Compulsory Insurance - $197
    • Director‘s Indemnity Agreement - No Insurance - $197
    • Directors Conflict of Interest Kit - $44
    • Div 7A Loan Agreement - $65
    • Div 7A Loan Agreement for UPE - $55
    • Employment Contract - $99
    • Family Trust - Vesting - $259
    • Forgiveness of Debt - $121
    • Independent Contractors Agreement - $99
    • Loan Agreement (No Security) - $110
    • Minutes for Members to Inspect Books - $33
    • Minutes for Resigning Director - $33
    • Opening Minutes for the Unit Trust - $33
    • Partnership Deed - $220
    • Power Of Attorney By Company - $99
    • Release of Unpaid Trust Entitlement - $121
    • Remove a Managing Director kit - $33
    • Remove and Replace a Director kit - $44
    • Replace Company Secretary kit - $44
    • Self Managed Superannuation Fund Deed - $149
    • Statutory Declaration - $0
    • Terms of Trade (Non ROT) - $132
    • Transfer of Shares Kit - $0
    • Unit Trust - $149
    • Unit Trust - Add New Member Kit - $110
  • CPD Webinars

    CPD Webinars

    • Webinar On Demand - Fixing Family Trust Deeds - Mistakes made pre and post establishing a Trust - $99
    • Webinar On Demand - How to assist clients with their debt issues - $99
    • Webinar On Demand - Introduction to Family Trusts - the basics - $99
    • Webinar On Demand - Lawyers and Accountants Duties as Executors - $99
    • Webinar On Demand - Testamentary Trusts 101 - $99
    • Webinar On Demand - Three Pillars of an Effective Asset Protection Strategy - $99
    • Webinar On Demand - Trust Distributions and Section 100A - $99
  • All documents

    All documents

    • Acknowledgement of Trust (already own asset) - $165
    • Adopt Committee Recommendations kit - $33
    • Advanced Legal Health Check for Businesses - $18
    • Appoint a Committee kit - $33
    • Appoint an Alternate Director kit - $33
    • Appoint Managing Director & Confer Powers kit - $33
    • Buy a House with Friends Agreement - $110
    • Buy Sell Agreement Company - $197
    • Change Appointor and/or Guardian of Family Trust - $110
    • Change of Name of Family Trust - $88
    • Change Registered Office kit - $33
    • Change Trustee of Family Trust - $110
    • Codicil to change the Executor - $99
    • Commercial Lease - $250
    • Company (ELodgement) - $631
    • Company (No Elodgement) - $99
    • Company Constitution Update - $99
    • Confidentiality Agreement (Non Disclosure) - $99
    • Co-Owners Agreement - $110
    • Dealing with Forgiven Debts (White Paper) - $55
    • Debt Recognition (including pre-Div 7A Loans) - $33
    • Debt Recovery Kit - Qld - $44
    • Declaration of Trust (before you buy) - $99
    • Demand and Statement of Claim for Debt - NSW - $88
    • Demand and Summons for Debt - VIC - $88
    • Demand and Summons for Debt - WA - $88
    • Derivative Risk Statement for SMSF - $65
    • Director‘s Indemnity Agreement - Compulsory Insurance - $197
    • Director‘s Indemnity Agreement - No Insurance - $197
    • Directors Conflict of Interest Kit - $44
    • Disclaimer - Email - $55
    • Div 7A Loan Agreement - $65
    • Div 7A Loan Agreement for UPE - $55
    • Employment - Conduct Issues Letter - $33
    • Employment - Employee Expenses Policy - $55
    • Employment - Performance Issues Letter - $33
    • Employment - Request for Medical Information - $33
    • Employment - Termination Letter - $33
    • Employment - Transferring Employee Letter - $33
    • Employment Contract - $99
    • Enduring Power of Attorney - NSW - $55
    • Enduring Power of Attorney - SA - $55
    • Enduring Power of Attorney - WA - $55
    • Enduring Power of Attorney (Financial, Personal/Health) - QLD - $55
    • Enduring Power of Guardianship - NSW - $55
    • Enduring Power of Guardianship - WA - $55
    • Family Trust - $165
    • Family Trust - Streaming & Bamford Update - $165
    • Family Trust - Update to Allow Change of Appointor and Guardian - $165
    • Family Trust - Update to allow Sole Trustee - $55
    • Family Trust - Update to Exclude Foreign Persons (NSW) - $198
    • Family Trust - Vesting - $259
    • Forgiveness of Debt - $121
    • Independent Contractors Agreement - $99
    • Investment Strategy for Self Managed Super 15/16 - $65
    • Investment Strategy for Self Managed Super 16/17 - $65
    • Investment Strategy for Self Managed Super 17/18 - $65
    • Investment Strategy for Self Managed Super 18/19 - $65
    • Investment Strategy for Self Managed Super 19/20 - $65
    • Investment Strategy for Self Managed Super 20/21 - $65
    • Investment Strategy for Self Managed Super 21/22 - $65
    • Loan Agreement (No Security) - $110
    • Minutes for Members to Inspect Books - $33
    • Minutes for Resigning Director - $33
    • Opening Minutes for the Unit Trust - $33
    • Partnership Deed - $220
    • Pension Pack for Self Managed Super - $299
    • Power Of Attorney By Company - $99
    • Product Disclosure Statement (general) - $66
    • Product Disclosure Statement (Pension only) - $99
    • Release of Unpaid Trust Entitlement - $121
    • Remove a Managing Director kit - $33
    • Remove and Replace a Director kit - $44
    • Replace Company Secretary kit - $44
    • Self Managed Superannuation Fund Deed - $149
    • SMSF - Minute to Appoint Administrator - $33
    • SMSF - Minute to Appoint an Auditor - $33
    • SMSF - Minute to Approve Financial Statements - $33
    • SMSF - Minute to Approve Financial Statements 07/08 - $33
    • SMSF - Minute to Approve Financial Statements 08/09 - $33
    • SMSF - Minute to Approve Financial Statements 09/10 - $33
    • SMSF - Minute to Insure The Members - $33
    • SMSF - Update Rules - $165
    • SMSF Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangement - $220
    • SMSF Restricted Commercial Property Assessment - $695
    • SMSF Restricted Residential Property Assessment - $315
    • SMSF Subscription - $99
    • Statutory Declaration - $0
    • Terms of Trade (Non ROT) - $132
    • The new small business restructure roll-over rules in practice (White Paper) - $55
    • Transfer of Shares Kit - $0
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2008/09 - $99
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2009/10 - $99
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2010/11 - $99
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2011/12 - $99
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2012/13 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2012/13 - Single-Use - $110
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2013/14 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2013/14 - Single-Use - $110
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2014/15 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2014/15 - Single-Use - $110
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2015/16 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2015/16 - Single-Use - $110
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2016/17 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2016/17 - Single-Use - $110
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2017/18 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2017/18 - Single-Use - $110
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2018/19 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2018/19 - Single-Use - $110
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2019/20 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2019/20 - Single-Use - $121
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2020/21 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2020/21 - Single-Use - $121
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2021/22 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2021/22 - Single-Use - $121
    • Unit Trust - $149
    • Unit Trust - Add New Member Kit - $110
    • Webinar On Demand - Fixing Family Trust Deeds - Mistakes made pre and post establishing a Trust - $99
    • Webinar On Demand - How to assist clients with their debt issues - $99
    • Webinar On Demand - Introduction to Family Trusts - the basics - $99
    • Webinar On Demand - Lawyers and Accountants Duties as Executors - $99
    • Webinar On Demand - Testamentary Trusts 101 - $99
    • Webinar On Demand - Three Pillars of an Effective Asset Protection Strategy - $99
    • Webinar On Demand - Trust Distributions and Section 100A - $99
    • Website Terms And Conditions - $99
    • Will - Married or Defacto No Children - $95
    • Will - Married or Defacto with Children - $95
    • Will - Single No Children - $110
    • Will - Single With Children - $110
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Print Version Back

Differences between Business Names, Domain Names & Trade Marks

Issue: 486 - Wednesday, 16 December 2015

In this Issue

  1. Differences between Business Names, Domain Names & Trade Marks

1. Differences between Business Names, Domain Names & Trade Marks

By Xian Li-Davies and Law Central Legal

An important part of starting a new business is to create a brand (e.g. through a business name).  Given the popularity of social media, businesses are increasingly achieving this through having an online presence (e.g. through a website and domain name, Facebook or YouTube). 

There are important differences between a business name, a domain name and a trade mark (particularly with regards to proprietary rights) which this article explores below.

Business Names

A business name is a name under which a person, partnership or company trades. Under the Business Names Registration Act 2011 (Cth) (“Act”), all business names must be registered with the Australian Securities & Investments Commission unless an exemption applies.

The most common exemptions are if:

  1. the business name owner is a person and the business name is that person’s name (e.g. Vera Wang trading as Vera Wang);

  2. the entity is a company and the business name is the company’s name (e.g. Joe’s Electrical Pty Ltd trading as Joe’s Electrical); and

  3. the entity is a partnership and the name consists of all of the partners' names (e.g. Jeremy Forsyth and Mary Blundell trading as Forsyth Blundell).

Under the Act, registering a business name:

  1. does not stop another person from registering a similar business name;

  2. does not give you exclusive rights to use all or part of the business name; and

  3. will not prevent somebody who has registered it as a trade mark from using the business name.

Domain Names

A domain name is your website address on the internet.  It generally assists your customers in finding information about your business.

Each website has its own distinct domain name (e.g. www.joeselectrical.com.au) to distinguish it from other websites (e.g. joeselectrical.co.com).

Like business names, registering a domain name will not give you exclusive rights to use all or part of the domain name. 

In fact, most domain name providers place an obligation on you to indemnify them (i.e. reimburse them) for any loss they suffer as a result of your domain name breaching the intellectual property rights of third parties (e.g. the whole of a trade mark that has the same name as your domain name).

Trade Marks

Unlike business names and domain names, trade marks do confer proprietary rights on its owner.
A trade mark is a way of identifying your goods or service.  The most common form of a trade mark is a logo, but it can also include words, sounds and smells or any combination of these. 

Example of well-known registered trade marks:

Trade marks are registered with IP Australia and can take six to nine months to be examined and registered.  Once registered, a trade mark owner will have, among other things, the following proprietary rights:

  1. an exclusive right to use their trade mark as a brand name for the goods or services specified in the registration;

  2. an exclusive right to authorise other people to use their trade mark for the goods or services specified in the registration; and

  3. a right to sell or transfer their trade mark to another person.

Notwithstanding the above, owners of unregistered trade marks are not without rights.  They may have a claim at common law (i.e. law made by the Courts) under the tort of “passing off”, or statutory rights under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) or equivalent State-based legislation.  The issues relating to “passing off” will be addressed in more detail in a subsequent Law Central Bulletin.

However, it can be expensive and time-consuming to commence such actions given you would have to collate and provide evidence to establish the existing goodwill in your business name, products or services.

Gold and Platinum members read on for how a Business Name registration can be overturned.

Platinum Members, click here to view content

Summary

It is a common misconception that having a registered business name or domain name will provide a business owner with exclusive ownership of that name.  However, this can only be provided by registering a trade mark with IP Australia.

If you wish to have exclusive rights with regards to your brand, you should seek legal advice on whether you can register a trade mark.  In this regard, please do not hesitate to contact:

Xian-Li Davies
(08) 9218 7700
xdavies@hotchkinhanly.com.au

Related documents:

  • Build a Company (ELodgement)
  • Confidentiality Agreement
  • Family Trust
  • Partnership Deed
  • Webinar recording - Know thy Business Structures

Disclaimer: The content of this Bulletin is general information only. It is not legal advice. Law Central recommends you seek professional advice before taking any action based on the content of the Bulletin.


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