In intellectual property law, a trade name refers to the name under which a company conducts its business. This name is used to identify the company to customers, business partners, and the public. It may be the full name of the company or a more specific name, often distinct from the corporate name (the legal name of the company), and is used to distinguish the company from others in its sector of activity.
The trade name may include elements such as words, letters, numbers, symbols, or other distinctive signs. It is generally chosen to be easily memorable and to reflect the company’s image or values.
It is different from the trade name and the corporate name. It can be enforced against a later trademark provided that it is not exclusively local in scope and there is a risk of confusion.
In summary, the trade name is a sign used by a company to identify its commercial activity.