Summary

(translated by M.-E. Ilja)

The business name is a new institute in Estonian law. The former use of names has, in many respects, been based on customs.

According to the Business Code, the business name is a name under which an entrepreneur is acting and which is entered in the Business Register. A natural person acting as an entrepreneur may have several business names, while a business association may have only one. There are some restrictions on business names: the business name may not be misleading in respect of the legal form, field of operation or the scope of operation of an entrepreneur, neither may it be contrary to fair practices.

The business name of a business association must be clearly distinguishable from other business names entered in the Register in Estonia. Similarly, the business name of a natural person acting as an entrepreneur must be clearly distinguishable in every district covered by the Register.