Abstract

The article explores in its structure the scope of the term "trade name" and proposes some legal definitions of it. First, we analyse the content of the terms "commercial activity" and "commercial relations”, then the concept of "company name", considering the dominant notion under the Bulgarian legislation and legal doctrine that the two (the trade name and the company name) are synonymous. The study emphases the incorrect understanding and use of the term "company name" as a synonym of trader. In addition, it raises the question whether it could consider the names of not-for-profit legal entities and law firms as trade names. To complete the study of the term “trade name” we examine several normative acts and summarise some de lege ferenda.