Short answer
DTI business name registration is the Philippine process by which a sole proprietor registers a trade name with the Department of Trade and Industry. It secures the right to use that name in business within a chosen territorial scope. It does not create a separate legal entity, so the owner remains personally liable for the business.
Also called: DTI registration, Business name registration, BN registration
Scope is the part most often misread. A business name is registered at barangay, city or municipal, regional, or national level, and the protection reaches only as far as the level chosen. Registration also runs for a fixed term and must be renewed, so a name secured years ago and never renewed may no longer be held.
A registered business name is not a trademark. The two are separate systems: DTI registration lets you operate under a name, while a trademark registered with the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines protects a mark used on goods or services and is what you would rely on against an imitator. Businesses that expect a name to become an asset generally pursue both, and which combination fits a given case is worth confirming with a professional.
Related terms
SEC Registration (Philippines)
SEC registration is the process of incorporating with the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission.
Barangay Business Permit
A barangay business permit, usually called a barangay clearance, is the certification issued by the barangay where a business operates.
Consumer Act of the Philippines (RA 7394)
The Consumer Act of the Philippines (Republic Act 7394) is the country’s principal consumer protection law.
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