claim to a name?

ditpoker

i'm looking into running an event close to winter using a generic title i.e. "South Dublin Championships". I have been contacted by another company who uses the same name for their flagship event. They are a large company, i am a sole trader. I am unsure if they have registered the name or not. Is there anyway I can check if they have registered such a name and can I use a modified version of it, i.e "Junior South Dublin Championships" or "Amateur South Dublin Championships".

apologies for being vague and "south dublin championships" is just an example.

Thanks.

Our man in Havana

http://www.cro.ie/search

Check under company and business names and you will soon see if they have registered the name.

ditpoker

if they have registered the "business name" , and to be fair they have, can i still use part of the name, so that it is significantly different, i.e. adding "amateur" or taking away "championships". basically changing 1-2 words of a 4 word title.

Our man in Havana

Yes you can. Be sure to register this name yourself.

Victor

I think the real risk is they will claim you are passing you off as them ("passing off").

Create your own image and you own wording and you have no problem.