“Fictitious Name” means any name under which a person transacts business within this state, other than the person’s legal name.  Please note that a corporation is considered to be a person and, under some circumstances, may register a “fictitious name.”  Ordinarily, a corporation doing business under its own name does not need to register a fictitious name.  A person may not conduct business under a fictitious name unless the person first registers the name with the Secretary of State. Registration is for public notice only and gives rise to NO PRESUMPTION of the registrant’s rights to own or use the name registered nor does it affect trademark, service mark, or corporate name rights previously acquired by others in the similar name.