Court Opinion

ID: 3714626
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-07-06 06:48:07.305212+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:47:33.325381
License: Public Domain

The partnership name of Duris Enterprises is not a fictitious name within the contemplation of the filing requirements of R.C.1329.01 or the prohibition of R.C. 1329.10(B). However, my conclusion is based upon the statute itself, not the illusory basis used by the majority.
With respect to the partners of plaintiff, Duris Enterprises, the name is fictitious, and the fact that all of them have the surname "Duris" does not render the name any less fictitious as to them.
However, R.C. 1329.01(A)(2) defines a fictitious name as "a name used in business or trade that is fictitious." On the other hand, R.C. 1329.01(C) provides that "[a]ny person who does business under a fictitious name * * * shall report the use of the fictitious name to the secretary of state. * * *" (Emphasis added.)
R.C. 1329.01(A)(3) defines "person" to include "any * * * partnership * * *."
Here, as to the partnership, there is nothing fictitious about the name. It is the partnership's actual name. As to the person
involved (the partnership), the name is not fictitious. The plaintiff in this case is a partnership, Duris Enterprises. There is no indication that plaintiff has ever used any name but its own in conducting business. R.C. 1329.10(B) has no application here.
R.C. 1777.02 covers the situation where the name of the partnership does not include the name of the partners, as well as the situation where the partnership transacts business under a fictitious name. Since the partnership name does not show the name of the partners, a filing pursuant to R.C. 1777.02 was required and was made by plaintiff. Doing business in the partnership name, however, is not transacting business in a fictitious name since the partnership, as an entity, is transacting business in its own name.
For this reason, I concur in the judgment. *Page 103