Hi, I currently don't have a company created and I'd like to have one with its name and everything. How is the process to do so? Do I have to pay somewhere to have it registered? Do I need to have it registered? For example under my app name on the appstore the company that shown is my name, so I'd like to modify that. How is the legal process for this and also how can I ensure that no one later takes that name and uses it, so I can claim it mine.
Thank you
While there may be examples surrounding prior use*, simply using a name on the store is not a form of 'registration', and buying an account only allows you into the store, it doesn't buy you a company name... Pay to become an LLC first, then pay for a company dev account, then use that company name in the store.
If someone else uses the same name in the store, Apple will instruct the two of you to work it out privately. That process starts here. It's at that point legal proof of ownership, if any, kicks in, and you would use your registered company/LLC documentation to show that you believe you own it. Who knows if demonsrating a legally registered name might carry more weight with Apple than who used it first.
Again, specific legal questions about trademarks, etc. are best put to a copyright attorney vs. strangers on a forum. That attorney can search if the name is unique, for you, as a service. Keep in mind "...the legal name of your LLC or corporation must be distinguishable from the names of other entities on record with the state filing office."
Don't assume that a simple search of the App Store is evidence that a particular name string is/isn't in use/owned.
*h tps://www.fr.com/news/prior-user-vs-federal-registrant-whose-mark-is-it-anyway1/
