Matthew Cusack
Director
NBR Business Name Protection
The UK's only dedicated business name protection service
Business Name Protection is a service of NBR Group, a UK business services firm trusted by thousands of independent businesses, accountants and trade associations.
Your business name is not just a label. It is your reputation, your marketing, and how customers find and recommend you.
But in the UK, similar business names can legally exist side by side, and that creates risk most business owners only discover when it is too late.
Business Name Protection gives you a simple, affordable way to help protect your business name before problems arise.
Start protecting your business name for £15 per month (including VAT).
About you
This service is built for UK businesses like yours
Business Name Protection is designed for everyday UK business owners whose name is their brand. Not global corporations with legal teams and five-figure trade mark portfolios. Real businesses building something valuable and local. If this sounds like you, you are in the right place.
You've built something worth protecting
Your business name already has value. Your customers recognise it. You use it in your marketing. You've invested time, money, and effort into building it. The last thing you want is someone else trading under a confusingly similar name and pulling customers away.
You rely on your name to win work
Whether you operate locally, regionally, or online, your name is often the first thing customers see and remember. Trades, hair and beauty, hospitality, healthcare, fitness, professional services, retail. If your customers find you by name, this service is relevant to you.
You want protection that makes sense in the real world
Trade marks can be powerful, but they are not always the right fit. They can be expensive, slow, and too narrow for how many small UK businesses actually trade. You want something practical. Straightforward. Affordable. And easy to understand.
You want to avoid a costly rebrand later
If you are forced to change your business name, the cost is not just financial. It is disruption, lost visibility, and customer confusion. For many UK small businesses, a rebrand can cost £4,000 to £20,000+, plus months of lost momentum. Preventing that risk early is often the smarter decision.
About the product
A practical, affordable layer of protection for your business name
Business Name Protection is not a trade mark.
It is a structured, preventative service designed to support UK businesses that want sensible protection around their trading name without unnecessary legal complexity.
Most business owners assume Companies House protects their name. It does not.
Companies House only checks for identical names. It does not assess similar or confusingly close names, which means near-identical businesses can still be registered and operate.
That is where Business Name Protection comes in.
For £15 per month (including VAT), you get:
- A dated, structured record of your business name use
- Monitoring support where similar names appear
- Up to £10,000 of passing-off legal assistance if your name is copied
- Access to a UK-based team who can support and guide you
This is designed to give you a practical layer of cover around the name you trade under every day.
Honest advice when you need it
We will always tell you if a trade mark is the better option for your situation.
Some businesses do need trade mark protection. When that is the case, we will say so.
But for many small UK businesses, this service provides a more proportionate, affordable, and realistic first layer of protection.
Why this matters
Most businesses act after the problem starts
When two businesses use similar names, the impact is rarely immediate. It builds quietly.
- Confused customers
- Lost enquiries
- Incorrect reviews
- Marketing spend benefiting the wrong business
By the time action is taken, the cost is often already higher than prevention.
Business Name Protection is designed to reduce that risk before it becomes a problem.
Simple pricing
One clear monthly cost
£15 per month (including VAT)
No complicated tiers. No hidden extras. No unnecessary add-ons.
Just straightforward protection for your business name.
Is this a trade mark?
No, and that is intentional.
A trade mark is a formal legal right that protects your brand in specific classes and categories. It can be extremely powerful, but it is not always necessary or suitable for every small business.
Business Name Protection is designed for businesses that want:
- Practical, ongoing protection
- A lower-cost alternative or complement to trade marks
- A simple way to reduce risk around their trading name
We are always transparent about the difference. We will always recommend a trade mark when it is the right step.
FAQs
Common questions
Does Companies House protect my business name?
No. Companies House only checks for identical names. It does not prevent similar or confusing names from being registered.
Is this a trade mark?
No. This is a separate service designed to provide practical protection and support around your business name.
What does the £10,000 assistance include?
It provides support towards legal action in passing-off situations where another business uses a confusingly similar name.
Who is this for?
UK small and medium-sized businesses that rely on their trading name to attract and retain customers.
Can I still register a trade mark?
Yes. Many businesses use both. We can also advise when a trade mark is the better option.
About NBR Group
Trusted by thousands of UK businesses
Business Name Protection is provided by NBR Group, a UK business services firm working with thousands of independent businesses, accountants, and trade associations.
We specialise in helping businesses protect and manage their intellectual property in a way that is practical, affordable, and relevant to how they actually trade.
Visit nationalbusinessregister.co.uk
2,000+
UK businesses protected
10+ years
Trading as NBR Group
UK only
Jurisdictional focus
£15/mo
Starting from
About the team
The team behind Business Name Protection
Experienced UK intellectual property specialists supporting your business
Business Name Protection is part of NBR Group, a long-established UK business services firm specialising in intellectual property, trade marks, and business name protection.
For over 10 years, we have supported UK businesses in protecting the names and brands they trade under every day, from sole traders and start-ups through to established SMEs and professional service firms.
This service brings that experience together into one simple, affordable product designed specifically for everyday UK businesses.
A team you can speak to, not just a platform you use
Behind Business Name Protection is a real UK-based team who understand how small businesses actually operate.
When you contact us, you are speaking to people who deal with business names, brand protection, and IP risk every day. Not automated systems or offshore call centres.
Our role is simple
Help you understand your risk, protect your business name, and support you if issues arise.
Michaela Cusack
Director
Mitch Wilmott
Head of IP
Corin Elliott
Relationship Manager
Wendy Leatherbarrow
Intellectual Property Assistant
Anne Taylor
Office Administration Manager
Sophie Pask
Marketing Assistant
Emma Whitehouse
Legal Consultant
Why this matters
Business Name Protection is more than a product. It is backed by a team that understands what happens when business names are challenged, copied, or confused.
We help businesses avoid problems where possible, and support them if issues arise.
Ready to protect your business name?
Your business name is one of your most valuable assets. Protecting it early is simple. Waiting until there is a problem is expensive.
Start today for £15 per month (including VAT).