Trade Name vs. Trademark vs. Corporate Name: What Protects Your Brand in Ontario?
A trade name, trademark, and corporate name serve different legal purposes in Ontario. A corporate name identifies an incorporated company, a trade name identifies the name used to conduct business, and a trademark distinguishes goods or services in the marketplace. Registering one does not automatically provide the legal benefits of the others. For example, a corporation legally named 1234567 Ontario Inc. may operate publicly as Willowbrook Artisan Bakery. The corporation generally needs to register that separate operating name. If it also wants registered trademark protection for the brand, a separate Canadian trademark application may be appropriate. Understanding these differences helps business owners choose the right registration, meet Ontario’s requirements, and avoid confusion about brand protection. Ontario Business Portal offers an online trade name registration service for businesses that want assistance registering an operating name under the correct legal entity. Re...