Defensive Name

Should you wish to protect your business name, the first step towards doing this is to complete a name reservation form and then applying for a defensive name. A defensive name registered at BIPA is for the purposes of protecting such a name where the defender holds material interest in such a name.

A Defensive Name is registered to protect a business name, to ensure that nobody uses it whilst preparing for an official registration of the business. The Name can be defended for an initial period of 2 years and may be renewed for an additional 2 years only. Subsequently the applicant may choose to register a close corporation or a company or cease to defend the name, in which case it becomes available to any other person.

NB: A defensive name, by law should not be used for trading purposes.

To apply for a Defensive name, submit the application for ‘A Reservation of a Defensive Name’ (CM5) for company and (CC8) for Close corporation.

Download defensive name form here