35-1-308. Corporate name.

MONTANA STATUTES AND CODES

     35-1-308. Corporate name. (1) A corporate name:
     (a) must contain the word "corporation", "incorporated", "company", or "limited"; the abbreviation "corp.", "inc.", "co.", or "ltd."; or words or abbreviations of similar meaning in another language;
     (b) may not contain business name identifiers, as defined in 30-13-201, or language that states or implies that the corporation is a business other than a corporation; and
     (c) may not contain language that states or implies that the corporation is organized for a purpose or purposes other than those permitted by 35-1-114 and its articles of incorporation.
     (2) Except as authorized by subsections (3) and (4), a corporate name must be distinguishable in the records of the secretary of state from:
     (a) the corporate name of another corporation incorporated or authorized to transact business in this state;
     (b) a corporate name reserved or registered under 35-1-309 or 35-1-311;
     (c) the fictitious name adopted by a foreign corporation authorized to transact business in this state because its real name is unavailable;
     (d) the corporate name of a not-for-profit corporation incorporated or authorized to transact business in this state;
     (e) the corporate name of a domestic corporation that has dissolved, but only distinguishable for a period of 120 days after the effective date of its dissolution; and
     (f) any assumed business name, limited partnership name, limited liability company name, trademark, or service mark registered or reserved with the secretary of state.
     (3) A corporation may apply to the secretary of state for authorization to use a name that is not distinguishable in the secretary of state's records from one or more of the names described in subsection (2). The secretary of state shall authorize use of the name applied for if:
     (a) the other corporation consents to the use in writing and submits an undertaking in a form satisfactory to the secretary of state to change its name to a name that is distinguishable in the records of the secretary of state from the name of the applying corporation; or
     (b) the applicant delivers to the secretary of state a certified copy of the final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction establishing the applicant's right to use the name applied for in the state.
     (4) A corporation, limited liability company, or limited partnership may use the name, including the fictitious name, of another domestic or foreign corporation, limited liability company, or limited partnership that is used in this state if the other corporation, limited liability company, or limited partnership is incorporated or authorized to transact business in this state and the proposed user corporation, limited liability company, or limited partnership:
     (a) has merged with the other corporation, limited liability company, or limited partnership;
     (b) has been formed by reorganization of the other corporation, limited liability company, or limited partnership;
     (c) has acquired all or substantially all of the assets, including the corporate name, of the other corporation, limited liability company, or limited partnership; or
     (d) has obtained written permission from the other corporation, limited liability company, or limited partnership for use of the name and has filed a copy of the grant of permission with the secretary of state.
     (5) This chapter does not control the use of fictitious names.