2010 Massachusetts Code
PART I ADMINISTRATION OF THE GOVERNMENT
TITLE XXII CORPORATIONS
CHAPTER 156D BUSINESS CORPORATIONS
Section 15.06 Corporate name of foreign corporation

Section 15.06. CORPORATE NAME OF FOREIGN CORPORATION

(a) If the corporate name of a foreign corporation does not satisfy the requirements of section 4.01, the foreign corporation, to obtain or maintain a certificate of authority to transact business in the commonwealth:

(1) may add the word “corporation”, “incorporated”, “company”, or “limited”, or the abbreviation “corp.”, “inc.”, “co.”, or “ltd.”, to its corporate name for use in the commonwealth; or

(2) may use a fictitious name to transact business in the commonwealth if its real name is unavailable and it delivers to the secretary of state for filing a copy of the resolution of its board of directors, certified by its secretary, adopting the fictitious name.

(b) Except as authorized by subsections (c) and (d), the corporate name (including a fictitious name) of a foreign corporation may not be the same as, or so similar that it is likely to be mistaken for:

(1) the corporate name or trade name of a corporation organized, authorized to transact business or otherwise lawfully conducting business in the commonwealth;

(2) a corporate name reserved under section 4.02;

(3) the fictitious name of another foreign corporation or entity authorized to transact business or otherwise lawfully conducting business in the commonwealth because its real or trade name is unavailable;

(4) the corporate name or trade name of a not-for-profit corporation organized, authorized to conduct its activities or otherwise lawfully conducting its activities in the commonwealth;

(5) the name or trade name of a partnership, business trust or other entity organized, authorized to transact business or otherwise lawfully conducting business in the commonwealth; or

(6) a trademark or service mark registered with the secretary of state under chapter 110B or 110G.

(c) A foreign corporation may apply to the secretary of state for authorization to use a corporate name that does not comply with the requirements of subsection (b). The secretary of state shall authorize use of the name applied for if:

(1) the other corporation consents to the use in writing and, if required by the secretary of state, submits an undertaking in form satisfactory to the secretary of state to change its name to a name that is not the same as or so similar that it is likely to be mistaken for the name of the applicant; or

(2) the applicant delivers to the secretary of state a certified copy of a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction establishing the applicants right to use the name applied for in the commonwealth.

(d) A foreign corporation may use the name, including the fictitious name, or mark of another entity that is used in the commonwealth if the other entity is organized, authorized to transact business or otherwise lawfully conducting business in the commonwealth and the foreign corporation:

(1) has merged with the other entity;

(2) has been formed by reorganization of the other entity; or

(3) has acquired all or substantially all of the assets, including the name and marks, of the other entity.

(e) If a foreign corporation authorized to transact business in the commonwealth changes its corporate name to one that does not satisfy the requirements of section 4.01, it may not transact business in the commonwealth under the changed name until it adopts a name satisfying the requirements of section 4.01 and files with the secretary of state, under section 15.04, an amendment to the certificate required to be filed by it under section 15.03.

(f) Within 90 days after the delivery to the secretary of state for filing of a certificate under section 15.03, or of an amendment to such certificate under section 15.04 that effects an amendment reflecting a change in the name of a foreign corporation used in the commonwealth, any person who is registered, qualified or carrying on business in the commonwealth at that time or who has reserved or registered a name under sections 4.02, 15.03 or 15.04 may protest in writing to the secretary of state that the name used by the foreign corporation in the commonwealth is the same as or so similar that it is likely to be mistaken for the name of such person in violation of this section. In that event, if the secretary of state decides to conduct a hearing regarding the dispute, he shall give notice thereof as soon as possible to the protesting party and the foreign corporation using the name in the commonwealth. If as a result of the hearing or otherwise, the secretary of state determines that the use in the commonwealth of the corporate name violates this section, he shall file a statement withdrawing his approval of the amendment insofar as it relates to the name used by the foreign corporation and shall give written notice thereof to the protesting party and the foreign corporation. The withdrawal of approval shall take effect on the date specified by the secretary of state, which shall be not later than 180 days after the date of the filing which was protested. After the effective date of the withdrawal of approval, the foreign corporation shall have no right to use the name in the commonwealth and may be enjoined from doing business under the name by the superior court upon application of any interested person.