An Ontario Trade Name (also called a “business name”) allows an Ontario corporation to operate under a name other than its legal corporate name. It’s commonly used for branding, marketing, or launching new product lines.
A distinctive term sets your name apart from that of other businesses offering the same goods or services. A distinctive term is the most crucial part of your name.
A descriptive term explains the nature of your company’s business.
Example 1
Proposed corporate name:
STACEY’S FLOWERS BOUTIQUE
The distinctive term is:
STACEY’S
The descriptive term is:
FLOWER BOUTIQUE
Example 2
Proposed corporate name:
FAST STOP CONVENIENCE STORE
The distinctive term is:
FAST STOP
The descriptive term is:
CONVENIENCE STORE
Note
Avoid entering the full proposed name in the ‘Distinctive Term’ field to prevent errors when ordering your NUANS Report.