Category:Doing business as

A trade name, trading name, or business name, is a pseudonym used by companies that do not operate under their registered company name. The term for this type of alternative name is a "fictitious" business name. Registering the fictitious name with a relevant government body is often required.

In a number of countries, the phrase "trading as" (abbreviated to t/a) is used to designate a trade name. In the United States,^[1] the phrase "doing business as" (abbreviated to DBA, dba, d.b.a., or d/b/a) is used, among others, such as assumed business name^[2] or fictitious business name.^[3] In Canada, "operating as" (abbreviated to o/a) and "trading as" are used, although "doing business as" is also sometimes used.^[4]

A company typically uses a trade name to conduct business using a simpler name rather than using their formal and often lengthier name. Trade names are also used when a preferred name cannot be registered, often because it may already be registered or is too similar to a name that is already registered.

1. ↑ "State Division of Corporations". "Department of State NY". 2019. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Department_of_State. 
2. ↑ "Search". SOSNC.gov. "North Carolina Secretary of State". 2018. https://www.sosnc.gov/search/index/corp. 
3. ↑ California Business and Professions Code Section 17900 Archived August 2, 2019, at the Wayback Machine. et seq.
4. ↑ "Business Registration". BusinessRegistration.ca. 2015. https://businessregistration.ca/business-registration/.