The Department of Economic Development’s Companies Registry is running a campaign to encourage businesses that have not previously registered their company to do so. Legislation in the Isle of Man requires that any individual, firm or company that conducts business or trading activity under a name other than its own to be registered. Registering a business also has benefits in that name receiving increased protection and provides official notice to others that it is already taken. The Registry will not register any other entity that it deems confusingly similar to an existing business name and it gives a protection should someone infringe upon it. The Registrar also has the authority to take legal action against any business using the same name. The Registry has recently compiled a list of around 400 businesses that do not appear to be registered and will shortly be circulating letters to those businesses, enclosing copies of practice notes and registration forms. The practice notes outline the benefits and how a business will be protected once registered. Commenting on the review, Alan Crowe MLC, Political Member for Isle of Man Department of Economic Development’s Companies Registry, said: ‘There are numerous benefits to registering a business name and it is in everyone’s best interest to register for their own protection. It deters others from using the same name and logo, which is often a company’s most valuable asset and the owner has exclusive use of that name in the Isle of Man.’ John Wilkinson, Companies Registrar, added: ‘I would strongly recommend anyone who has not yet registered to contact our team in the Companies Registry either by email or in person at our offices in St George’s Court, Douglas. Once processed, a Certificate of Registration will be issued to display at your premises showing the business name, place of business and date of registration.’ All forms and further information can be obtained from Companies Registry or downloaded from the website www.companiesregistry.gov.im. ENDS