---
title: O.C.G.A. § 14-4-25. When previously used corporate name becomes available for use by others.
collection: code
id: 14-4-25
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 14-4-25 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/14-4-25
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/14-4-25.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/14-4-25/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t14-(v12)-2017-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=507372ea_0#page=787
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
up: https://georgiacommons.org/code/14-4.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/code/14-4-24.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/code/14-4-40.md
index: https://georgiacommons.org/code/index.md
version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: CORPORATIONS, PARTNERSHIPS, AND ASSOCIATIONS / SECRETARY OF STATE CORPORATIONS / INCORPORATION
---

# O.C.G.A. § 14-4-25. When previously used corporate name becomes available for use by others.

(a) The name of a corporation shall become immediately available for use by others upon:

(1) The surrender by the corporation of its franchise;

(2) The effective date of an amendment changing the name of the corporation;

(3) The voluntary or involuntary dissolution of the corporation.

(b) Upon the effective date of a merger or consolidation, the names of the constituent corporations shall become immediately available except insofar as one of such names shall be the name of the surviving or resulting corporation.

(c) Nothing in this Code section shall abrogate or limit the law as to unfair competition or unfair trade practice nor derogate from the common law, or principles of equity, or the statutes of this state or of the United States with respect to the right to acquire and protect trade names and trademarks.

## History

Code 1933, § 22-4204, enacted by Ga. L. 1968, p. 565, § 1.