Rules for choosing a partnership name

(a) No statement or certificate of any partnership shall be recorded by the director unless the name is not the same as, or substantially identical to the name of any domestic corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, or limited liability partnership existing or registered under the laws of this State, or any foreign corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, or limited liability partnership authorized to transact business in this State, or any trade name, trademark, or service mark registered in this State, or a name the exclusive right to which is, at the time, reserved in this State, except that this provision shall not apply if the partnership files with the director any one of the following: (1) The written consent from the entity or holder of a reserved or registered name to use and register the same or substantially identical name, and one or more words are added by the partnership to make the name distinguishable from the name on record; or (2) A certified copy of a final decree of a court of competent jurisdiction establishing the prior right of the partnership to the use of the name in this State. (b) The acceptance of a statement or certificate of a partnership for registration by the director shall not abrogate or limit any common law or other right of any person to any corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, or limited liability partnership name, trade name, trademark, or service mark. (c) The director may make, amend, and repeal such rules as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.