The document outlines the Business Name Law in the Philippines, detailing the definitions, registration requirements, and prohibited terms for business names. It specifies that sole proprietors and certain corporations must register their business names with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and highlights the importance of having a distinctive and descriptive business name. Additionally, the document provides guidelines on what cannot be included in a business name and the necessary steps for registration, including documentation and fees.

1. Republic of the Philippines Department of Trade and Industry BUSINESS NAME REGISTRATION

2. THE BUSINESS NAME LAW REPBULIC ACT NO. 3883 AN ACT TO REGULATE THE USE IN BUSINESS TRANSACTION OF NAMES OTHER THAN TRUE NAMES, PRESCRIBING THE DUTIES OF THE DIRECTOR OF BUREAU OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY IN ITS ENFORCEMENT, PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS THEREOF, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

3. BUSINESS NAME “ Business Name, Firm Name or Style” means any name other than: The true name of an individual The corporate name of the corporation (private or government-owned or controlled) or name of partnership, duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission Cooperative name duly registered with the Bureau of Cooperative Development

4. BUSINESS NAME Any variation, modification, addition, subtraction, abbreviation or change in any of the words composing the true name of a person, corporation, partnership or cooperative shall constitute another name.

5. WHY REGISTER? For issuance of any written or printed receipts, including receipts for business taxes, duties and fees and withdrawal or delivery receipts For any written or printed evidence of any agreement or business transaction For any sign or billboard conspicuously exhibited in plain view in or at the place of his business or elsewhere, announcing his business.

6. Is Business Name Registration Required? Under the Business Name Law, sole proprietors must be registered with the Department of Trade and Industry. For valid reasons, a corporation, which may want to adopt a business name or style, must be duly registered with DTI.

7. Who can apply for a Business Name? Any natural person, Filipino citizen, who is at least 18 years old or any juridical person who is not disqualified by any existing law or regulations to engage in business and who is using a firm name, business name or style. Corporations/Partnerships registered with Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) using only such corporate/partnership name, may no longer register under the Business Name Law.

8. WHAT CANNOT BE REGISTERED? The words “ Company ”, “ Limited ”, “ Associates ”, “ Sons ”, “ Inc .”, “ Group ” cannot be used by single proprietorship. It suggests partnership However, the phrase “ and associates ” may be used by an applicant in his business name if he is a professional in his particular line of consultancy or management or professional services.

9. WHAT CANNOT BE REGISTERED? However, the phrase “ and associates ” may be used by an applicant in his business name if he is a professional in his particular line of consultancy or management or professional services Also, the word “ group or club ” may be used as part of the business of single proprietors provided they are engaged in entertainment business (e.g. night club, beach club, dance group and other similar activities).

10. WHAT CANNOT BE REGISTERED? The words “ Philippines ” (prefix), “ Nation ”, “ State ”, “ Barangay ”, “ Metro Manila ”, “ Philippine International ”, “ CALABARZON ” and “ Asean ”, among others. They are for exclusive use of the government

11. WHAT CANNOT BE REGISTERED? The word “ International ”, except when registered as part of business name of those who are engaged in business with overseas business concern (e.g. import/export).

12. WHAT CANNOT BE REGISTERED? The words “ Bargain ”, “ Discount ”, or similar words are violative of the Price Tag Law. The word “ Industry/ies ” – except when applicant is engaged in manufacturing, processing, farming or in allied business.

13. WHAT CANNOT BE REGISTERED? It is prohibited to use the full name of another person as part of the business name. However, if the owner of a business name which contains his full name as part of the business names, sells or transfers also said name the vendee/transferee shall be allowed to retain said name.

14. MATTERS THAT SHALL BE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED IN BUSINESS NAME REGISTRATION Your Business Name should descriptive as possible. It is preferred that you put a prefix, infix, or suffix. Prefix – a particle or syllable, placed before a word to modify its significance. Infix – letter or syllable inserted in the body of a word or group of words. Suffix – letter or syllable added at the end of a word.

15. EXAMPLES OF PREFIX, INFIX AND SUFFIX Academy Institute School Accessories Spare Parts and Accessories Adjustment Adjuster/s Ads Ads Agency Advertiser/s Advertising Advertising Agency Advocate/s Agency Agent Commission Agent Factor’s Representative Indentor Merchandise Broker Ship Broker Agora Market/Mart Supermarket/Supermart Agri-business Agricultural Agro-business Agro-industrial

16. Alley ______ and Associates And Company Company Animal Clinic Pet Clinic Veterinary Clinic Antique Shop Apartments Apartel Apartelle Building Condominium Hotel/Motel Inn Lodge Lodging House Manor Mansion Pension House Tower/s Townhouse/s Appliance/s Home Appliances Household Appliance

17. Arcade Plaza Shopping Plaza Square Arrastre Service/s Arrastre & Stevedoring Services Association Kapatiran Kapisanan Samahan Audio Bakery Bakehaus Bakeshop Baker/s Bakery Products Breadhouse Cake House Cakes & Pastries Balot-balot Balot-balot, Ihaw-ihaw Bar Disco Bar Food Bar Music Bar Sing-a-long Bar Beauty Parlor Beautician Beauty Salon

18. Betamax Tapes Beta House Beta Tapes/Rental Movies Boutique Collectiones Collezione Fashion Center Fashion Lines Fashion House/House RTW Corporation Incorporated Inc. Co., Inc. Cottage Craft Cottage Industry/ies Handicraft/s Home Industry/ies Native Craft/s Philippines Handicrafts Counselor/s Counter Counterpoint Crafts/s Creations Fashion Center/Line/s Customs Brokerage

19. D’ The Data Systems Dealer/s Dealership/s Den Haven Hideaway Development Developer/s Design/s Designer/s Dimension/s Dimsum Center Dimsum House Directory Disco Pub Disco Bar/Haus/house Distributor/s Drugstore Botica Drug House Drugs Pharma Pharma House Pharmacy Dry Goods RTW Wearing Apparel Dynamics

20. Eatery Bistro Kitchenette Burger House Kusina ni Café Luncheonette Cafeteria Meryendahan ni Canteen Nook Carenderia/Carinderia Patio Caterer/s Place Catering Services Refreshment Parlor Corner Restaurant Cucina Snack Bar Dinette Stand Food Caterer/s Veranda Kainan Kiosk

21. Embroidery Embroideries Emporium Superstore Engineering Engraver/s Enterprise/s Equipment Estate Estate of _____ Exchange Buying Station Trading Post Exponent/s Export/s Export Channels Exporter/s Exporter/importer Fabricators Factory Plant Mill Miller Milling Farm/s Agricultural Farms Farm Supply Livestock Farm

22. Fishery Consignor Fish Broker/s Fisheries Fish Trader/s Fish Vendor/s Florist Flower shop Plants and Flowers Forum Centrum Foundation Foundry Foundry Manufacturing Foundry Shop Metal Casting Forwarder/s Cargo Express Forwarding Agency Freight Freighter/s Freight Forwarder/s Freight Lines Funeral Parlor Funeraria Funeral Homes Funeral Services Gallery Hall

23. Garments Boutique Dresses Fashion Lines Haberdashery RTW General Merchandise General Merchandising General Merchant Merchandising Gift Shop Novelty and Gist Shop Goto Gotohan Graphics Group Group of _____ Hairdresser/s Hair Stylist/s Hauling Hauler/s Hospital Infirmary Lay-in Clinic Medical Clinic Polyclinic Polymedic House Haus House of ____

24. Imperatives Importer-Exporter Industry Industry/ies Infor Info – ( ) Innovators Innovations Integrated Interiors Interior Design/s Interior Deaigner/s International Jewelry Jewelries Jeweler/s Kambingan Karaoke Landscaping Landscaper/s Learning Center Kindergarten School Nursery School Pre-school Prep School Tutorial Center

25. Leathercraft/s Lending Investo/s Lessor/s Line/s Linens Links Linkage/s Lugawan Lumber Lumber Dealer Lumber Supply/ies Out-lumber Macro Micro Maintenance Management Consultancy Manufacturing Manufacturer/s Marker Marketing Mart Mini Mart Master/s Master

26. Memorial Park Memorial Chapel Memorial Homes Mercantile Commercial Messengerial Service/s Liaison Service/s Motor Works Auto Repair ASshop Car Care Center Engine Rebuilder/s Motor Shop Music Box Music Mart Newspaper Clarion News Bulletin Daily Newsletter Digest Publication/s Edition Review Express Supplement Gazette Weekly Journal Magazine News

27. Oceaneering Submarine Contractor/s Overseas Placement Manpower Service/s Recruitment Agency Pawnshop Agencia Empeños Bahay Sanglaan Peddler Itinerant Peddler Poultry Farm Egg Supply/ies Printing Printer/s Printing House Publishing House Processing Processor/s Product/s Producer/s Production/s Realty Real Estate Dealer Real Estate Lessor Realty Service/s Repacking Repacker/s Resort Beach Resort Tourist Resort

28. Requirements/procedures in the Registration of the Business Name: For Sole Proprietorship: The applicant must be a Filipino Citizen, at least 18 years old 2 pcs. 2x2 ID pictures

29. For Sole Proprietorship: Present proof of Citizenship: Natural born Filipinos whose names are suggestive of an alien nationality (example: Chua, Tan, Taylor, etc.), submit photocopy of any proof of citizenship, such as, birth certificate, voter's ID, PRC ID or passport and present original copies for comparison. If owner is a Filipina married to a foreigner, submit photocopy of any proof of citizenship, such as, birth certificate, voter's ID, PRC ID or passport plus photocopy of the marriage certificate. Present original copies for comparison.

30. For Sole Proprietorship: Verify nature of business. Examples: Valid PRC ID is required for businesses related to practice of profession ie. Engineers, Architects, Dentist, Pharmacist, Nurse etc. Valid Customs Broker license from Bureau of Customs if business is customs brokerage.

31. Valid Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) card for law firms. Real Estate Brokers License for real estate business Fire Extinguisher License for this kind of business Accreditation Certificate for Service and Repair Shop. Merchandise/Ship Broker license if business is a travel agency with ticketing as nature of business

32. Valid Customs Broker license from Bureau of Customs if business is customs brokerage. Valid Insurance license from Insurance Commission if business is insurance. PRC license as Doctors of Medicine if business is faith healing, acupuncture (RA 2382-Medical Act). License from Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) if business is processing/manufacturing of fertilizer, pesticides and other similar products

33. PNP Permit if business is manufacture/sale of firearms, ammunitions and warfare materials. License as General Bonded Warehouse if business is warehousing/storage of goods other than grains. Processing fee of P 300.00 plus one (1) set documentary stamps.

34. For Corporation / Partnership / Cooperative / Other Judicial Entities Photocopy of the SEC/CDA certificates of registration and articles of incorporation/partnership/cooperative, and that: For corporation, the corporate secretary should certify true copy each page of the SEC certificate of registration and articles of incorporation.

35. For Partnership/ Corporation: For partnership, one of the partners should certify true copy each page of the SEC certificate of registration and articles of partnership. For cooperative, the cooperative secretary should certify each page of the CDA certificate of registration and articles of the cooperative.

36. For Partnership/ Corporation: Board Resolution/Partnership agreement for the authorized signatory, if signatory is not one of the incorporators/partners Processing fee of P 500.00 plus one (1) set documentary stamps.

37. For Corporations registering an Adopted Business Name Same requirements as for Corporation, and Board Resolution for the registration of an adopted name

38. For Franchise Holders Franchise Agreement (certified photocopy) allowing the applicant to register and use the said business name. If there are trademark/s that will be used and specified in the franchise agreement, copy of the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) registration of the trademark/s.

39. For Franchise Holders Photocopy of the business name certificate of the franchisor; and, Basic requirements in filing an application for the registration of the business name.

40. FOR BRANCHES Registration of branch/es A business name registration is valid only at the business address stated in the Business Name certificate. Hence, the main business and all the branches must be individually and separately registered with their corresponding application. Requirements for registering a Branch Basic requirements of business name application plus photocopy of business name certificate of Main Office.

41. NEW UPDATES Initial Registration/ Verification can now be done online You may search/ verify a business name online thru: www.business.gov.ph www.dti.gov.ph

42. NEW UPDATES DTI Website

43. NEW UPDATES Business Name Registration System

44. NEW UPDATES

45. OTHER SPECIFIC AGENCIES Related to Business DOT, DENR, NFA, BFD, DECS, DA, DAR, LTO, etc. INVESTOR Single Proprietor INVESTOR Cooperative INVESTOR Partnership/Corp. DEPT. OF TRADE & INDUSTRY Business Name Registration SECURITIES & EXCHANGE COMMISSION Business Registration COOPERATIVE DEV’T. AUTHORITY Business Registration optional BUREAU OF INTERNAL REVENUE TIN, Business Registration, Registration of Books DEPT. OF LABOR Business Registration SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM SSS Registration CITY/MUNICIPAL HALL Mayor’s Permit optional

46. CONTACT INFORMATION DEPARTMENT OF TRADE & INDUSTRY Negros Occidental Provincial Office 3rd Floor Prudentialife Bldg. San Juan-Luzuriaga Streets Bacolod City Tel. Nos. 433-0250, 434-7920, 708-2423 Email: [email_address] Instant Messenger: [email_address]