A DBA allows you to do business using a name other than your legal name. A DBA registers your right to do business under that name in your County. You acquire "common law" trademark rights by using your TM. Register the TM with the USPTO for your goods or services. Every page on your website is automatically copyrighted as a creative expression. You need to assign the copyright to an individual or legal entity.
Owners must register a DBA only if they use another name for business signs, ads, etc. A DBA allows creative naming and brand presence. A DBA won’t form a legal entity but you can operate under a different name.
Benefits of a DBA: conduct business under a different name; open a business bank account using the DBA name.
DBA versus Trademarks: Intellectual Property Protection
Copyrights and trademarks protect different intellectual property. Copyrights protect creative expressions; trademarks protect branding. A DBA is the public registration of a business name.
A DBA allows operating a business under a different name from your legal name. A DBA gives naming flexibility to rebrand without creating a legal entity. Registering a DBA notifies the public of operating under another name. DBA laws protect consumers.
A trademark protects branding. Copyrights protect creative expressions. A DBA registers an assumed business name. A DBA name can function as a trademark if registered with the USPTO for associated goods and services.
DBA and Business Operations: Legal Considerations
The DBA allows conducting business using an assumed name. It provides naming flexibility without creating a legal entity. States permit sole proprietors and partnerships to use DBAs. Register a DBA when using a name besides your legal one. A trademark protects branding while a DBA registers an assumed name. Copyrights cover creative works while a DBA registers a business name. A DBA offers no liability shield unlike corporations or LLCs.
Conduct business banking, marketing and transactions under your DBA name. Tax filings still use your legal name. Adding DBAs creates higher risks and complicates taxes. Multiple LLCs better protect assets yet have added costs. Consider the optimal structure for your goals and stage.
A DBA provides consumer transparency about ownership. This deters fraud by mandating public filings. Publishing DBAs enables tracing responsible parties. But DBAs themselves create no distinct legal entity. Sole proprietors and partnerships operate DBAs since branding differs from legal names. LLCs and corporations have less need to file DBAs. Their registered names can directly serve branding needs.