For entrepreneurs and growing businesses, establishing a clear and recognizable presence in the marketplace is essential. One of the first steps in building a brand is selecting and protecting the right name.   This often involves choosing a corporate or business name, registering a trade name, securing a domain name, and where appropriate, obtaining trademark protection.   Although these concepts are closely related and may overlap, each serves a distinct legal and commercia

Lawyers and businesses have long awaited an update to Ontario’s antiquated business filing system. It has never been more true since most people now work remotely, and documents are signed and filed electronically. The new Ontario Business Registry has officially launched. Up until this point, Ontario remained one of the few provinces that did not accept electronic filings without the use of third-party service providers. As of October 19, 2021, more than 90 transactions may

Professional corporations are owned and operated by one or more members of the same profession. Certain professions permit their members to operate through professional corporations, such as accountants, architects, dentists, engineers, lawyers, physicians, social workers and veterinarians. However, the services provided by the professional corporation are generally restricted to the practice of that profession. Physicians are limited to providing medical services to their pa

When individuals decide to form a band, they often do not consider or are even familiar with the business structures that might be available to them. By default, bands are considered partnerships. Or they may defer to a more formal structure by incorporating. If bands continue to operate as a partnership, they should consider formalizing a partnership agreement sooner rather than later. There are various considerations when it comes to drafting partnership agreements, which c

There are several major distinctions between incorporating and registering a business or trade name. Clients have often asked the differences between the two and the following details those differences, including the costs and benefits associated with each. Start-Up Costs Incorporating a business in Ontario is more expensive than if you were to incorporate federally. This is due to the fact that there are third-party service fees associated with incorporating online in Ontari

The decision to incorporate federally or provincially can have several implications on your business. Many times, clients have contacted me to understand the differences between them and to seek guidance on which structure would work best for their business. The classic lawyerly answer is—it depends. First, clients must decide what business structure will work best for them and also take into consideration the goods or services they intend to provide. A major factor in deter