Section 293-A:4.01 Corporate Name.
(a) A corporate name shall:
(1) Contain the word ""corporation,'' "" incorporated,'' or ""limited'' or the abbreviation ""corp.'' ""inc.'', or "" ltd.'', or words or abbreviations of like import in another language.
(2) Not contain language stating or implying that the corporation is organized for a purpose other than that permitted by RSA 293-A:3.01 and its articles of incorporation.
(b) Except as authorized by subsections (c) and (d) of this section, a corporate name, based upon the records of the secretary of state, shall be distinguishable from, and not the same as, or likely to be confused with or mistaken for:
(1) The name of an entity incorporated, authorized, formed, or registered to do business in this state under RSA 292, RSA 293-A, RSA 293-B, RSA 294-A, RSA 301, RSA 301-A, RSA 304-A, RSA 304-B, RSA 304-C, RSA 305-A, or RSA 349.
(2) A name reserved under RSA 293-A, RSA 293-B, RSA 304-A, RSA 304-B, or RSA 304-C.
(3) The fictitious name of another foreign corporation authorized to transact business in this state.
(4) The name of an agency or instrumentality of the United States or this state or a subdivision thereof.
(5) The name of any political party recognized under RSA 652:11, unless written consent is obtained from the authorized representative of the political organization.
(6) The name ""farmers' market'' unless the entity meets the definition of ""farmers' market'' established in RSA 21:34-a, V.
(c) A corporation may apply to the secretary of state for authorization to use a name that is not distinguishable from, or is the same as, or likely to be confused with or mistaken for one or more of the names described in subsection (b) of this section, as determined from review of the records of the secretary of state. The secretary of state shall authorize use of the name applied for if:
(1) The holder or holders of the name as described in subsection (b) gives written consent to use the name that is not distinguishable from or likely to be confused with or mistaken for the name of the applying corporation; or if the name is the same, one or more words are added to the name to make the new name distinguishable from the other name; or
(2) The other entity consents to the use in writing and submits an undertaking in form satisfactory to the secretary of state to change its name to a name that is distinguishable from, and not the same as, or likely to be confused with or mistaken for the name of the applying corporation; or
(3) The applicant delivers to the secretary of state a certified copy of the final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction establishing the applicant's right to use the name applied for in this state.
(d) A corporation may use the name, including the fictitious name, of another domestic or foreign entity that is used in this state if the other entity is incorporated, authorized, formed, or registered to transact business in this state and the proposed user corporation:
(1) Has merged with the other entity;
(2) Has been formed by reorganization of the other entity; or
(3) Has acquired all or substantially all of the assets, including the name, of the other entity.
(e) This chapter does not control the use of fictitious names.
(f) Nothing in this section would prohibit the owner or owners of a trade name registered under RSA 349 to form a domestic corporation under the same name as the trade name.
(g) The secretary of state and those acting on his or her behalf shall incur no liability, either personally or on behalf of the state of New Hampshire, as a result of negligent acts or omissions in the reservation or registration of any name under this chapter or any other name registration or reservation statute, including but not limited to RSA 349, or the handling and recording of documents pertaining to such reservation or registration.
Source. 1992, 255:1. 1993, 344:5, eff. July 1, 1993. 1999, 293:2, eff. July 16, 1999. 2004, 248:8, eff. July 1, 2004. 2009, 293:2, eff. Sept. 29, 2009.