2023 Maine Revised Statutes › TITLE 31: PARTNERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS › Chapter 21: LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANIES › Subchapter 1: GENERAL PROVISIONS › 31 §1510. Assumed or fictitious name of limited liability company

§1510. Assumed or fictitious name of limited liability company
1.  Definitions.
As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
A. "Assumed name" means a trade name or any name other than the real name of a limited liability company except a fictitious name.   [PL 2009, c. 629, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 629, Pt. A, §3 (AFF).]
B. "Fictitious name" means a name adopted by a foreign limited liability company that has filed a statement of foreign qualification in this State because its real name is unavailable pursuant to section 1508.   [PL 2009, c. 629, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 629, Pt. A, §3 (AFF).]
[PL 2009, c. 629, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 629, Pt. A, §3 (AFF).]
2.  Authorized to transact business.
Upon complying with this section, a limited liability company or foreign limited liability company that has filed a statement of foreign qualification in this State may transact its business in this State under one or more assumed or fictitious names.
[PL 2011, c. 113, Pt. B, §5 (AMD).]
3.  File statement indicating use of assumed or fictitious name.
Prior to transacting business in this State under an assumed or fictitious name, a limited liability company shall execute and deliver to the office of the Secretary of State for filing a statement setting forth:
A. The limited liability company name;   [PL 2009, c. 629, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 629, Pt. A, §3 (AFF).]
B. That the limited liability company intends to transact business under an assumed or fictitious name;   [PL 2009, c. 629, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 629, Pt. A, §3 (AFF).]
C. The assumed or fictitious name that the limited liability company proposes to use;   [PL 2009, c. 629, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 629, Pt. A, §3 (AFF).]
D. If the assumed name is not to be used at all of the limited liability company's places of business in this State, the locations where that name will be used; and   [PL 2009, c. 629, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 629, Pt. A, §3 (AFF).]
E. If the company is a foreign limited liability company:
(1) The jurisdiction of organization; and
(2) The date on which it was authorized to transact business in this State.   [PL 2009, c. 629, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 629, Pt. A, §3 (AFF).]
A separate statement must be executed and delivered to the office of the Secretary of State for filing with respect to each assumed or fictitious name that the limited liability company proposes to use.
[PL 2009, c. 629, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 629, Pt. A, §3 (AFF).]
4.  Compliance required.
An assumed or fictitious name must comply with the requirements of section 1508.
[PL 2009, c. 629, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 629, Pt. A, §3 (AFF).]
5.  Enjoin use of assumed or fictitious name.
If a limited liability company uses an assumed or fictitious name without complying with the requirements of this section, the continued use of the assumed or fictitious name may be enjoined upon suit by the Attorney General or by any person adversely affected by the use of the assumed or fictitious name.
[PL 2009, c. 629, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 629, Pt. A, §3 (AFF).]
6.  Enjoin use despite compliance.
Notwithstanding its compliance with the requirements of this section, the use of an assumed or fictitious name may be enjoined upon suit by the Attorney General or by any person adversely affected by such use if:
A. The assumed or fictitious name did not, at the time the statement required by subsection 3 was filed, comply with the requirements of section 1508; or   [PL 2009, c. 629, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 629, Pt. A, §3 (AFF).]
B. The assumed or fictitious name is not distinguishable on the records of the office of the Secretary of State from a name in which the plaintiff has prior rights by virtue of the common law or statutory law of unfair competition, unfair trade practices and common law copyright or similar law.   [PL 2009, c. 629, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 629, Pt. A, §3 (AFF).]
The mere filing of a statement pursuant to subsection 3 does not constitute actual use of the assumed or fictitious name set out in that statement for the purpose of determining priority of rights.
[PL 2009, c. 629, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 629, Pt. A, §3 (AFF).]
7.  Terminate use of assumed or fictitious name.
A limited liability company may terminate an assumed or fictitious name by executing and delivering to the office of the Secretary of State a statement setting forth:
A. The name of the limited liability company;   [PL 2009, c. 629, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 629, Pt. A, §3 (AFF).]
B. That the limited liability company no longer intends to transact business under the assumed or fictitious name; and   [PL 2009, c. 629, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 629, Pt. A, §3 (AFF).]
C. The assumed or fictitious name the limited liability company intends to terminate.   [PL 2009, c. 629, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 629, Pt. A, §3 (AFF).]
[PL 2009, c. 629, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 629, Pt. A, §3 (AFF).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 2009, c. 629, Pt. A, §2 (NEW). PL 2009, c. 629, Pt. A, §3 (AFF). PL 2011, c. 113, Pt. B, §5 (AMD).