2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 35. Corporations, Partnerships, and Associations › Chapter 14. Montana Business Corporation Act › Part 4. Corporate Name › 35-14-401. Corporate name

35-14-401. Corporate name.
(1) A corporate name:
(a) must contain the word "corporation", "incorporated", "company", or "limited", the abbreviation "corp.", "inc.", "co.", or "ltd.", or words or abbreviations of similar meaning in another language; and
(b) may not contain language stating or implying that the corporation is organized for a purpose other than that permitted by 35-14-301 and its articles of incorporation.
(2) Except as authorized by subsections (3) and (4), a corporate name must be distinguishable in the records of the secretary of state from:
(a) the corporate name of a corporation incorporated in this state that is not administratively dissolved. If the corporation has been administratively dissolved, this provision applies to its corporate name for a period of 120 days following the effective date of its administrative dissolution.
(b) a corporate name reserved or registered under 35-14-402 or 35-14-403 or any similar provision of the law of this state;
(c) the name of a foreign corporation registered to do business in this state or an alternate name adopted by a foreign corporation registered to do business in this state because its corporate name is unavailable;
(d) the corporate name of a nonprofit corporation incorporated in this state that is not administratively dissolved. If the nonprofit corporation has been administratively dissolved, this provision applies to its corporate name for a period of 120 days following the effective date of its administrative dissolution.
(e) the name of a foreign nonprofit corporation registered to do business in this state or an alternate name adopted by a foreign nonprofit corporation registered to do business in this state because its real name is unavailable;
(f) the name of a domestic filing entity or limited liability partnership that is not administratively dissolved. If the domestic filing entity or limited liability partnership has been administratively dissolved, this provision applies to its corporate name for a period of 120 days following the effective date of its administrative dissolution.
(g) the name of a foreign unincorporated entity registered to do business in this state or an alternate name adopted by a foreign unincorporated entity registered to do business in this state because its real name is unavailable; and
(h) any assumed business name, trademark, or service mark reserved or registered with the secretary of state.
(3) A corporation may apply to the secretary of state for authorization to use a name that is not distinguishable in the secretary of state's records from one or more of the names described in subsection (2). The secretary of state shall authorize use of the name applied for if:
(a) the other corporation or unincorporated entity consents to the use in writing and submits an undertaking in a form satisfactory to the secretary of state to change its name to a name that is distinguishable in the records of the secretary of state from the name of the applying corporation; or
(b) the applicant delivers to the secretary of state a certified copy of the final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction establishing the applicant's right to use the name applied for in this state.
(4) A corporation, domestic filing entity, or limited liability partnership may use the name, including the fictitious name, of another domestic or foreign corporation, domestic or foreign filing entity, or domestic or foreign limited liability partnership that is used in this state if the other corporation, filing entity, or limited liability partnership is incorporated or authorized to transact business in this state and the proposed user corporation, domestic filing entity, or limited liability partnership:
(a) has merged with the other corporation, filing entity, or limited liability partnership;
(b) has been formed by reorganization of the other corporation, filing entity, or limited liability partnership;
(c) has acquired all or substantially all of the assets, including the name, of the other corporation, filing entity, or limited liability partnership; or
(d) has obtained written permission from the other corporation, filing entity, or limited liability partnership for use of the name and has filed a copy of the grant of permission with the secretary of state.
(5) This chapter does not control the use of fictitious names.
History: En. Sec. 39, Ch. 271, L. 2019.