Can I Buy a Company Name in India? Here’s What You Need to Know
When launching a new business in India, choosing the right company name is one of the first and most critical steps. Many entrepreneurs wonder—can I buy a company name in India? The short answer is: not directly. However, there are legal ways to reserve, acquire, or use a name, depending on your business plan. In this article, we’ll explore the facts, and how to properly check company name availability and secure it under Indian law.
✅ Can You Legally Buy a Company Name in India?
In India, you cannot simply purchase a company name like a domain or brand name. Company names are regulated by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) and are tied to legal entities (companies or LLPs). If someone else owns the name, it's associated with their registered business and cannot be used by you—unless you:
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Acquire the entire company by purchasing 100% shares (via legal due diligence), or
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Purchase a trademark and ensure the company is dormant or ready for closure
However, if the name is available and unused, you can reserve it during new company registration.
🔍 How to Check Company Name Availability
Before choosing or reserving a name, you must first check company name availability on the official MCA portal. Here's how to do it:
📌 Step-by-Step:
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Go to the MCA website: https://www.mca.gov.in
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Navigate to MCA Services > Company Services > Check Company Name
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Enter your proposed name and select the business type (Private Limited, LLP, etc.)
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The portal will show if the name is:
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Already taken
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Too similar to an existing name
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Conflicting with a registered trademark
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If the name is unique and valid, you can proceed to reserve it through SPICe+ Part A or RUN (Reserve Unique Name).
🛒 What If I Want to “Buy” a Brand Name?
You may not be able to buy a company name outright, but you can buy a trademark or license a brand name if:
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The brand is not linked to an active company
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The trademark owner agrees to transfer ownership or grant rights
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You conduct legal due diligence and draft proper IP assignment agreements
This is more common in franchise models or brand licensing deals.
🧾 Legal Alternatives to Buying a Company Name
If the name you want is not available, you can:
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Add prefixes/suffixes to make it unique (e.g., “TechNova India Private Limited”)
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Use creative spelling (while avoiding legal confusion)
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Register a trademark for your brand separately
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Check domain name and trademark availability alongside MCA checks
Platforms like Taxlegit help startups check company name, suggest unique alternatives, file trademark applications, and ensure your business is legally protected.
💡 Pro Tip: Reserve Your Name Before Someone Else Does
MCA allows you to reserve a company name in advance using SPICe+ Part A. Once approved, your name is blocked for 20 days (extendable up to 60 days with justification). This gives you time to prepare incorporation documents, arrange capital, and complete the registration process.
🧑💼 Need Help Checking or Reserving a Company Name?
At Taxlegit, we assist founders in:
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Checking company name availability
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Reserving names via MCA with zero errors
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Handling Private Limited, LLP, OPC registration
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Filing trademarks and post-registration compliances
👉 Click here to check company name availability and register your business
✍️ Conclusion
You can’t directly “buy” a company name in India unless you’re acquiring an existing company or brand. The smarter and faster way is to check company name availability through MCA, reserve it legally, and register your new business under that name. With the right guidance, you can build a legally secure, investor-ready company from day one.
