Check if the name is available
Namesearch (navnesok.no) is a search service that makes it easy for you to check whether domain names, company names and trademarks are available - all three in one search.
Company name
Company names are registered at the Brønnøysund Register Centre. Here you can read more about what it takes to get protection for your company name.
Register your company name
You can register everything that concerns your company at Brønnøysund Register Centre. Click on the link to go to brreg.no.
Learn more about starting a business
We offer a number of recordings of previous courses and seminars on trademarks. You can watch them, as and when it suits you. (link to the Norwegian site)
How should you register your company name?
To register your company name, go to the Brønnøysund Register Centre.
You can register names that directly describe the business of your company, but then you will only get protection against completely identical names. In order to prevent others from using interchangeable names, your name must be distinctive.
Register a company name as a trademark?
In certain cases, a company name can also be registered as a trademark.
A non-distinctive company name has less value, as you cannot prevent others from registering a similar company name.
Protection of company names
If you register a name that directly describes the business of your company, you will only be protected against completely identical names. To prevent others from using a name that can be confused with your name, you must choose a distinctive name.
A distinctive company name means a name that does not describe the industry you are in. Then you can prevent others from registering a business name that can be confused with yours.
A couple of examples of distinctive company names are Freia AS and Ruter AS. The name does not describe the goods or services they provide, it is a fictitious name.
The more distinctive the business name is, the greater protection it will have against other people's business names and trademarks.
Your business name can describe the industry you're in. With a descriptive name, it's easier for you to advertise your goods and services, because customers will more easily see what industry you operate in by looking at your business name.
But you may run into problems with competitors. You cannot prevent others from having similar descriptive names as their business names.
Example: If you have chosen a name such as "Rørleggerservice AS" you cannot prevent others from registering "Rørleggerservice 1-2-3 AS" or "Grünerløkkas Rørleggerservice AS".
Descriptive names can lead to disadvantages such as you getting your competitors' mail or them getting your mail. It can also be difficult to stand out in the market and customers can more easily choose your competitor because the names are so similar.
Complaint against company name
If you believe that a company name registered in the Business Register in Brønnøysund can be easily confused with your company name or trademark, you can submit a complaint to the Norwegian Industrial Property Office. The same applies if the company name infringes your rights to a protected personal name.
Only company names registered in the Business Register can be appealed. Company names that are only registered in the Register of Legal Entities fall outside the scheme.
What is meant by interchangeability?
Interchangeable company names mean for example, that it is similar to your company name or trademark, either in the way the names look or are written, or in the way they are pronounced. What will be decisive is whether others (your potential customers) will be able to mistake them.
Current regulations
Name serach service
Namesearch (navnesok.no) is a search service that makes it easy for you to check whether domain names, company names and trademarks are available - all three in one search.
The service is a collaboration between the Norwegian Industrial Property Office (trademark), Norid (domain name) and the Brønnøysund Register Center (company name). This search service is free and open to everyone.