Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations
Chapter 181 - Nonstock corporations.
181.0403 - Registration of name.

181.0403 Registration of name.
(1) By foreign corporation.
(a) A foreign corporation that has not filed a certificate of authority under s. 181.1503 may register its name, or a fictitious name adopted pursuant to s. 181.1506 (1), if the name is distinguishable upon the records of the department from the names that are available under s. 181.1506 (2).
(b) To register its name or a fictitious name adopted pursuant to s. 181.1506 (1), a foreign corporation must deliver to the department for filing an application stating the foreign corporation's name, the jurisdiction and the date of its formation, and any fictitious name adopted pursuant to s. 181.1506 (1). If the department finds that the name applied for is available, the department shall register the name for the applicant's exclusive use.
(c) The registration of a name under this section expires annually on December 31.
(d) A foreign corporation whose name registration is effective may renew the registration by delivering to the department for filing, between October 1 and December 31 of each year that the registration is in effect, a renewal application that complies with this section. When filed, the renewal application renews the registration for the next year.
(e) A foreign corporation whose name registration is effective may apply for and obtain a certificate of authority as a foreign corporation under the registered name or consent in a signed record to the use of that name by another person that is not an individual.
(2) Merger, name change or dissolution.
(a) A corporation may, upon merger, change of name or dissolution, register its corporate name for no more than 10 years by delivering to the department for filing an application, executed by the corporation, simultaneously with the delivery for filing of the articles of merger, the articles of dissolution, or the articles of amendment or the restated articles of incorporation that change the corporate name.
(b) A foreign corporation may, upon change of name, register its corporate name for no more than 10 years by delivering to the department for filing an application, executed by the foreign corporation, simultaneously with the delivery for filing of an application for an amended certificate of authority that changes the corporate name.
(3) Effective date. A corporate name is registered under sub. (1) or (2) for the applicant's exclusive use on the effective date of the application.
(3m) Transfer of registered name. A person who has the right to exclusive use of a registered name under sub. (1) or (2) may transfer the registration to another person by delivering to the department a written and signed notice of the transfer that states the name and address of the transferee.
(4) Termination of registered name.
(a) A foreign corporation whose registration is effective under sub. (1) may thereafter apply for a certificate of authority under the registered name or consent in writing to the use of that name by a domestic corporation thereafter incorporated under this chapter or by another foreign corporation thereafter authorized to transact business in this state. The registration terminates when the domestic corporation is incorporated or the foreign corporation obtains a certificate of authority or consents to another foreign corporation obtaining a certificate of authority under the registered name.
(b) The holder of a registration effective under sub. (2) may thereafter incorporate as a domestic corporation or obtain a certificate of authority under the registered name or consent in writing to use of that name by a domestic corporation thereafter incorporated under this chapter or by a foreign corporation thereafter authorized to transact business in this state. The registration terminates when any of the following occurs:
1. The holder incorporates as a domestic corporation or obtains a certificate of authority under the registered name.
2. The domestic corporation that has consent to use the registered name is incorporated.
3. The holder consents to another foreign corporation obtaining a certificate of authority under the registered name.
History: 1997 a. 79; 2021 a. 258.

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