Use of 'Inc.' on stationery
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- 18 Responses
- 5timuli
Is there a legal requirement with this in the US? Do you need the full name of a company plus the 'Inc.' or can it stay off?
- robotron3k0
you must have in copy write info, all else is okay to leave off.
- TheBlueOne0
However you can't use "inc." or "co." or even the word "company" if it is in fact not incorporated. I found this out the hard way....
- monkeyshine0
*footnote...it is not a bad idea to become incorporated if you are a well established independent business. It separates your personal assets from that of the company so if an a$$ client sues you, your personal a$$ is safe. This happened to a friend of mine.
- There are many more reasons to become incorporated besides just this: http://www.incorpora…ethanfink
- ribit0
Um.... context?
Where are you talking about using it?... makes all the difference..
i.e. You don't have to use the Inc on business cards, and you don't even have to mention the company name... whereas an official letter may have lots of requirements (for example in UK must include registered business address, reg no. etc)
- 7point340
isn't this where a DBA comes into play?
- 5timuli0
I can't find any info on Google at all on this, maybe I'm searching for the wrong thing. The company is incorporated and has 'Inc.' on their old letterheads and business cards but I wanted to know if it is legally required or whether you can just leave it off.
- I know the UK regulations but not the US ones (if there are any), nor does anyone else here.5timuli
- I think you can safely leave it off...but double check me...I mean you don't see Pepsi Inc" or IBM Inc" do you?TheBlueOne
- ribit0
logo obviously not... The logo doesn't have to have any relationship to the company name.
Footer I'm not sure aboutbut I'd imagine the full company name is required there...BUT only on "official" stuff like invoices... You don't want to be encumbered by that stuff on promo stationery.
- SoulFly0
I think you should really ask the client. The client may have a lawyer that can direct you on how they want it.
That's what I always done.
- TheFatBaron0
It's not a requirement as far as I know, except on official business documents, such as tax forms, bank forms, etc. when you're listing the official registered business name. I'm looking at my business card now (and from a couple old jobs that I still had in my wallet for some odd reason). All were Inc., none have it.
- monospaced0
Do as the client says. You're just the designer, right?
- That's no help if there's a legal requirement. The client doesn't know.5timuli
- Its the companies responsibility to comply with the laws, not the designers.ribit
- i.e. this stuff should be in the brief. If it isn't there you can do what you want?ribit
- People actually get briefs in the real world? HAHAHA!
:P5timuli
- brains0
How are you going to print without Ink?
- utopian10
It is not requirement, I never has to ad the INC, or LLC on any stationery that I had to print.
- ethanfink0
For all you freelancers:
*
* Taxation. In the United States, corporations are taxed at a lower rate than individuals. Also, they can own shares in other corporations and receive corporate dividends 80% tax-free. There are no limits on the amount of losses a corporation may carry forward to subsequent tax years. A sole proprietorship, on the other hand, cannot claim a capital loss greater than $3,000 unless the owner has offsetting capital gains.
- ribit0
There's several levels here:
- company name (gemerally only required in places like footers and only on official docs)
- 'doing business as' name (stands in for the company name when officially required)
- brand/service/publication name (may appear on cards and stationery and the company name)
- brand/service/publication logo (may or may not look something like any of the above)
- Llyod0
Dewey, Cheatem, and Howe