(a) A proposed business entity name, trademark or service mark shall not be the same as or deceptively similar to any trademark or service mark registered in this state and shall be distinguishable upon the records of the Secretary of State from other business names as provided in W. S. 17-16-401 and as determined by the Secretary of State.
(b) The use of business names shall be restricted in the following manner: - (i) The Secretary of State shall not register a trade name or limited partnership name including the term "trust" until notifying the Department of Audit and receiving written confirmation that the entity is a financial institution and has complied with Title 13 of the Wyoming Statutes. Entities that are not financial institutions as defined by W.S. W.S. W.S. 13-1-101(a)(ix) will be permitted to use the word "trust," or "trust company" in their name only if the Secretary of State determines that the words are being used in a way which is clearly not related to banking, the trust business or any other financial endeavor.
- (ii) The Secretary of State shall not register a business name which implies it is a degree granting institution of higher learning until verifying that it is licensed by the Department of Education. If the Department of Education requires licensing and the entity is not licensed, then the Secretary of State shall refuse to file the documents until licensing is completed. This rule does not apply to institutions of higher learning which are exempt from licensing under the Department of Education's statutes or rules or to non-educational entities such as "University Bookstore, Inc."