kauppanimityksenä

Kauppanimityksenä refers to operating a business under a trade name that is different from the owner’s personal or legal name. In Finnish practice, a person or organization may conduct activities using a kauppanimitys to identify the business to customers, partners, and authorities. When a contract or invoice is issued, the parties may note that one side acts kauppanimityksenä, clarifying the capacity of the responsible party.

For individuals, the common path is to establish a sole proprietorship (toiminimi) under a chosen trade name, which then serves as the public identity of the business. For companies, the corporate name may function as the kauppanimitys or a separate trade name may be adopted for branding. In any case, name availability and proper registration with the competent authorities (such as the Finnish Patent and Registration Office) are typically required, and the name must not be misleading or confusingly similar to an existing one.

Liability and legal effects depend on the business form. Operating as a sole proprietor under a kauppanimitys generally means the owner bears personal liability for business obligations, whereas a registered corporation (such as a limited company) provides limited liability under its own name. In contracts, the kauppanimitys helps identify which legal person is bound and under which capacity the party acts.

Protection and branding: a kauppanimitys can double as a brand identifier and may be protected through trademark or registration as a business name, in addition to general regulatory requirements.

See also: toiminimi, kaupparekisteri, osakeyhtiö, liiketoiminnan rekisteröinti.