Current through 2023 Legislative Sessions
Section 45-23-03 - [See Note] Limited liability limited partnership name1. The name of each limited liability limited partnership as set forth in the limited liability limited partnership's certificate of limited liability limited partnership: a. Must be expressed in letters or characters used in the English language as those letters or characters appear in the American standard code for information interchange (ASCII) table.b. Must contain without abbreviation the words "limited liability limited partnership" or the abbreviation "L.L.L.P." or "LLLP", either of which abbreviation may be used interchangeably for any purpose authorized by this chapter including real estate matters, contracts, and filings with the secretary of state.c. May contain the name of a partner.d. May not contain the word "corporation", "company", "incorporated", "limited liability company", "limited liability partnership", or an abbreviation of these words.e. May not contain a word or phrase indicating or implying the limited liability limited partnership: (1) Is organized for a purpose other than: (a) A lawful purpose for which a limited liability limited partnership may be organized under this chapter; or(b) For a purpose stated in its certificate of limited liability limited partnership; or(2) May not be organized under this chapter.f. Must be distinguishable in the records of the secretary of state from: (1) The name, whether foreign and authorized to do business in this state or domestic, unless there is filed with the certificate a record in compliance with subsection 3, of: (a) Another limited liability limited partnership;(b) A limited partnership;(d) A limited liability company; or(e) A limited liability partnership;(2) A name the right to which is, at the time of organization, reserved in the manner provided in section 10-19.1-14, 10-32.1-12, 10-33-11, 45-10.2-11, 45-13-04.2, or 45-22-05;(3) A fictitious name registered in the manner provided in chapter 45-11;(4) A trade name registered in the manner provided in chapter 47-25; or(5) A trademark or service mark registered in the manner provided in chapter 47-22.2. The secretary of state shall determine whether a limited liability limited partnership name is distinguishable in the secretary of state's records from another name for purposes of this chapter and may adopt rules reasonable or necessary for making these determinations.3. If the secretary of state determines a limited liability limited partnership name is indistinguishable in the secretary of state's records from another name for purposes of this chapter, the limited liability limited partnership name may not be used unless there is filed with the certificate: a. The written consent of the holder of the registered trade name or the holder of the rights to the name to which the proposed name has been determined to be indistinguishable; orb. A certified copy of a judgment of a court in this state establishing the earlier right of the applicant to the use of the name in this state.4. This section does not: a. Abrogate or limit: (1) The law of unfair competition or unfair practices;(3) The laws of the United States with respect to the right to acquire and protect copyrights, trade names, trademarks, service names, and service marks; or(4) Any other rights to the exclusive use of any name or symbol.b. This section does not derogate the common law or the principles of equity.5. A limited liability limited partnership that is the surviving organization in a merger with one or more organizations, or that acquires by sale, lease, or other disposition to or exchange with an organization all or substantially all of the assets of another organization, including its name, may include in the limited liability limited partnership's name, subject to the requirements of subsection 1, the name of any of the other organizations, if the other organization whose name is sought to be used:a. Is incorporated, organized, formed, or registered under the laws of this state;b. Is authorized to transact business or conduct activities in this state;c. Holds a reserved name in the manner provided in section 10-19.1-14, 10-32.1-12, 10-33-11, 45-10.2-11, 45-13-04.2, or 45-22-05;d. Holds a fictitious name registered in the manner provided in chapter 45-11;e. Holds a trade name registered in the manner provided in chapter 47-25; orf. Holds a trademark or service mark registered in the manner provided in chapter 47-22.6. The use of a name of a limited liability limited partnership in violation of this section does not affect or vitiate a limited liability limited partnership's existence. However, a court in this state may, upon application of the state or of an interested or affected person, enjoin the limited liability limited partnership from doing business under a name assumed in violation of this section, although a certificate of limited liability limited partnership may have been filed with the secretary of state.7. A limited liability limited partnership whose period of existence has expired or that is involuntarily dissolved by the secretary of state pursuant to section 45-10.2-108 or 45-10.2-108.1 may reacquire the right to use that name by refiling a certificate of limited liability limited partnership pursuant to section 45-23-04, unless the name has been adopted for use or reserved by another person, in which case the filing will be rejected unless the filing is accompanied by a written consent or judgment as provided in subsection 3. A limited liability limited partnership that cannot reacquire the use of its limited liability limited partnership name shall adopt a new limited liability limited partnership name that complies with the provisions of this section: a. By refiling the certificate of limited liability limited partnership pursuant to section 45-23-04;b. By amending pursuant to section 45-10.2-24; orc. By reinstating pursuant to section 45-10.2-108, unless the name has been adopted for use or reserved by another person, in which case the filing will be rejected unless the filing is accompanied by a written consent or judgment pursuant to subsection 3.8. Subject to section 45-23-07, this section applies to a foreign limited liability limited partnership transacting business in this state, having a certificate of authority to transact business in this state, or applying for a certificate of authority.9. A limited liability limited partnership that files its certificate of limited liability limited partnership with an effective date later than the date of filing as provided in subsection 1 of section 45-23-05 shall maintain the right to the name until the effective date.Amended by S.L. 2019 , ch. 93( HB 1127 ), § 14, eff. upon receipt by the legislative council of certification by secretary of state attesting that all necessary administrative rules and information technology components and systems are ready for implementation of this Act.Amended by S.L. 2015, ch. 87 (HB 1136),§ 38, eff. 7/1/2015.Amended by S.L. 2015, ch. 87 (HB 1136),§ 37, eff. 7/1/2015.Amended by S.L. 2011 , ch. 87( SB 2174 ), § 73, eff. 7/1/2011.This section is set out more than once due to postponed, multiple, or conflicting amendments.