(a) Corporation names.--

(1) A domestic corporation not-for-profit incorporated prior to May 16, 1923 may register its name with the department under this chapter by effecting the filing specified in 15 Pa.C.S. § 5311 (relating to filing of certificate of summary of record by certain corporations).

(2) Any person who is not eligible to make a filing under 15 Pa.C.S. § 209 (relating to registration of name of nonregistered foreign association) may register a corporation name with the department by filing an application for registration of name, executed by the person, which shall set forth:

(i) The name of the corporation.

(ii) The address, including street and number, if any, of the person who executed the application.

(b) Associations generally.--An association other than a corporation may register with the department the name under which it is doing business or operating by filing an application for registration, which shall be executed by the association, and shall set forth:

(1) The name to be registered.

(2) The address, including street and number, if any, of the association.

(3) The length of time, if any, during which the name has been used by the applicant.

(4) Such other information necessary to the administration of this chapter as the department may specify by regulation.

(c) Limitation on names which may be registered.--Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b), no new name shall be registered or deemed to be registered under this section which is not distinguishable upon the records of the department from any other name then registered or deemed to be registered under this chapter, without the consent of the senior registrant.

(d) Annual renewal.--A person who has in effect a registration of a name may renew the registration from year to year by annually filing an application for renewal setting forth the facts required to be set forth in an original application for registration. A renewal application may be filed between October 1 and December 31 in each year and shall extend the registration for the following calendar year.

(e) Cross reference.--See 15 Pa.C.S. § 134 (relating to docketing statement).

(Dec. 21, 1988, P.L.1444, No.177, eff. Oct. 1, 1989; Dec. 18, 1992, P.L.1333, No.169, eff. 60 days; June 22, 2000, P.L.356, No.43, eff. 60 days; Oct. 22, 2014, P.L.2640, No.172, eff. July 1, 2015; Nov. 21, 2016, P.L.1328, No.170, eff. 90 days)

2016 Amendment. Act 170 amended subsec. (d).

2014 Amendment. Act 172 amended subsec. (a)(2) intro. par.

2000 Amendment. Act 43 amended subsec. (c).

1992 Amendment. Act 169 amended subsec. (a), relettered subsec. (d) to subsec. (e) and added a new subsec. (d).

Cross References. Section 502 is referred to in section 501 of this title.