Your NUANS Report Shows Similar Names. Should You Still Incorporate?
Short answer: In most cases, yes. In Ontario, similar names on your NUANS report do not stop you from incorporating, because the province does not review proposed corporate names for similarity before it accepts your articles. Only identical names are blocked. The risk comes later: an existing business can object and trigger a names hearing, sue you for passing off, or rely on a registered trademark. Your job is to judge how close the matches really are, then choose to proceed, tweak the name, get consent, or incorporate as a numbered company. Get Your Ontario NUANS Report If you’d rather have an expert read your report before you file, start your Ontario incorporation with Ontario Business Portal , and our team will flag the matches that matter. What does it mean when a NUANS report shows similar names? A NUANS report (Newly Upgraded Automated Name Search) is a list of existing corporate names, business names, and trademarks that look or sound like the name you want. Almost every re...