Appendix C
Certain words or expressions are covered by other legislation and their use in company names might be a criminal offence. These are listed below. If you want to use any of these words or expressions in your company name, then you should contact the relevant regulatory authority or ask us for advice before proceeding. We may seek independent advice from the relevant body.
| Word or Expression | Relevant Legislation | Relevant Body |
| Anzac | Section 1 Anzac Act 1916 | Seek advice of Companies House |
| Architect | Section 20 Architects Registration Act 1997 |
Architects Registration Board 73 Hallam Street London W1N 6EE |
| Building Society | Building Society Act 1986 |
Seek advice of Building Societies Commission Victoria House 30-40 Kingsway London WC2B 6ES |
| Chamber(s) of Business, Chamber(s) of Commerce, Chamber(s) of Commerce and Industry, Chamber(s) of Commerce, Training and Enterprise, Chamber(s) of Enterprise, Chamber(s) of Industry Chamber(s) of Trade, Chamber(s) of Trade and Industry, Chamber(s) of Training, Chamber(s) of Training and Enterprise or the Welsh translations of these words |
Company and Business Names (Chamber of Commerce etc.) Act 1999 | Guidance is available from Companies House |
| Chiropodist, Dietician, Medical Laboratory, Technician, Occupational Therapist, Orthoptist, Physiotherapist, Radiographer, Remedial Gymnast |
Professions Supplementary to Medicine Act 1960 if preceded by Registered, State or Registered |
Mrs Joan Arnott Department of Health HRD HRB Rm 2N35A Quarry House Quarry Hill Leeds LS2 7JE |
| Chiropractor | Chiropractors Act 1994 | The Chief Executive General Chiropractic Council 44 Wicklow Street London WC1X 9HL |
| Credit Union | Credit Union Act 1979 | The Public Records Section Financial Services Authority 25 The North Colonnade Canary Wharf London E14 5HS |
| Dentist, Dental Surgeon, Dental Practitioner, |
Dental Act 1984 | The Registrar General Dental Council 37 Wimpole Street London W1M 8DQ |
| Druggist, Pharmaceutical, Pharmaceutist, Pharmacist, Pharmacy |
Section 78 Medicines Act 1968 |
The Director of Legal Services The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain 1 Lambeth High Street London SE1 7JN (for Scottish Registered Companies) The Pharmaceutical Society 36 York Place Edinburgh EH13HU |
| Institute of Laryngology, Institute of Otology, Institute of Urology, Institute of Orthopaedics, |
University College London Act 1988 |
Seek advice of University College London Gower Street London WC1E 6BT |
| Patent Office, Patent Agent |
Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 |
IPPD (Intellectual Property Policy Directorate) Room 3B38, Concept House UK Intellectual Property Office Cardiff Road Newport, NP10 8QQ |
| Olympiad, Olympiads, Olympian, Olympians, Olympic, Olympics, Paralympic, Paralympics, Paralympiad, Paralympiads, Paralympian, Paralympians,translation of these or words so similar to these protected words |
Olympic Symbol etc. (Protection) Act 1995 (as amended)*Use of such words may infringe the rights of the British Olympic Association/British Paralympic Association.*Also protects the Olympic symbols of five interlocking rings; the Olympic motto “Citius Altius Fortius”(“Faster, Higher, Stronger”); the Paralympic symbol of three “agitos”; the Paralympic motto “Spirit in Motion”; and anything so similar to them.
Following London’s successful bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games, the London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Act 2006 has been introduced. This provides further rights for the protection of Olympic words, symbols and marks relating to the Games. In addition to the protected words outlined in this booklet, the registration of a company name which includes specific words implying association with the London 2012 Games may infringe the rights of The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games Limited (LOCOG) under this Act. For further information, please visit: |
The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games Limited (LOCOG)23 rd Floor 1 Churchill Place Canary Wharf London E14 5LN |
| Optician, Ophthalmic Optician, Dispensing Optician, Enrolled Optician, Registered Optician, Optometrist |
Opticians Act 1989 | The Registrar General Optical Council 41 Harley Street London W1N 2DJ |
| Red Cross, Geneva Cross, Red Crescent, Red Lion and Sun |
Geneva Convention Act 1957 |
Seek advice of Companies House |
| Solicitor (Scotland) | S.31, Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980 |
The Law Society of Scotland 26 Drumsheugh Gardens Edinburgh EH3 7YR |
| Veterinary Surgeon, Veterinary, Vet |
Sections 19/20 Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 |
The Registrar Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons 62-64 Horseferry Rd London SW1P 2AF |
