Before you order business cards, check if your name is already registered. Most rejections happen because founders skip this basic search.
Check Companies House
Search exact name and variations. Active company with your name = automatic rejection.
Check UK Trademarks
Use UK IPO database. Registered trademark in your industry = conflict.
What Counts as Your Industry?
If they're in the same trademark class (e.g., Class 35 for retail services), it's a conflict. Check all 45 classes.
Check Domains
If .co.uk is taken, someone is using the name commercially. Investigate.
Priority order: .co.uk first, then .uk, then .com. UK businesses need .co.uk - non-negotiable.
Check Variations
"TechHub" taken? They'll reject "Tech Hub," "TechHubs," and "Tech-Hub" too.
Morphological Variations
Companies House treats these as identical: spaces, hyphens, "and" vs "&", "Ltd" vs "Limited". Check all versions.
If It's Taken
Don't fight it. Choose a different name. Legal battles cost £50,000+.
Reality Check: "But my name is different!" doesn't work. If it's confusingly similar, you lose. Save yourself 18 months of pain.
The Dormant Company Trap
A company can be dormant for 10 years and still block your name. Check the incorporation date and status-"dormant" doesn't mean "available."
When Dormant Companies Get Removed
Companies House strikes off companies after 6+ years of no filing, but the process is slow. Don't wait-they might file annual accounts tomorrow and block you for another decade.
International Conflicts You're Missing
UK trademark law protects "well-known marks" even if not registered here. Using a name similar to McDonald's, Nike, or Apple gets you sued regardless of UK registration.
The Paris Convention Rule
Companies from 177 countries can enforce their trademarks in the UK without UK registration. That French bakery chain you've never heard of can still block your name.
Use Trademark Lens
Run all checks in one place: free verification tool.