Md. Code, Corporations and Associations § 1-404
This is the official text of Md. Code, Corporations and Associations § 1-404, part of Maryland’s Code, Corporations and Associations — governs the formation and operation of corporations, LLCs, and partnerships.
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§1–404.
Official statutory text
§1–404. IN EFFECT
(a) Any person who owns, operates, or directs an unincorporated organization, firm, association, or other entity which includes in its name the word “corporation”, “incorporated”, or, except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, “limited” or an abbreviation of any of these words or which holds itself out to the public as a corporation is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $500.
(b) This section does not prohibit:
(1) A limited partnership from using the term “limited partnership” in its name;
(2) A limited liability company from using the terms “limited liability company” or “L.L.C.” in its name; or
(3) A limited liability partnership from using the terms “limited liability partnership” or “L.L.P.” in its name.
§1–404. ** TAKES EFFECT OCTOBER 1, 2026 PER CHAPTERS 198 AND 199 OF 2025 **
(a) Any person who owns, operates, or directs an unincorporated organization, firm, association, or other entity which includes in its name the word “corporation”, “incorporated”, or, except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, “limited” or an abbreviation of any of these words or which holds itself out to the public as a corporation is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $500.
(b) This section does not prohibit:
(1) A limited partnership from using the term “limited partnership” in its name;
(2) A limited liability company from using the terms “limited liability company” or “L.L.C.” in its name;
(3) A limited liability partnership from using the terms “limited liability partnership” or “L.L.P.” in its name; or
(4) A limited worker cooperative association from using the terms “limited worker cooperative association” or “L.W.C.A.” in its name.
(a) Any person who owns, operates, or directs an unincorporated organization, firm, association, or other entity which includes in its name the word “corporation”, “incorporated”, or, except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, “limited” or an abbreviation of any of these words or which holds itself out to the public as a corporation is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $500.
(b) This section does not prohibit:
(1) A limited partnership from using the term “limited partnership” in its name;
(2) A limited liability company from using the terms “limited liability company” or “L.L.C.” in its name; or
(3) A limited liability partnership from using the terms “limited liability partnership” or “L.L.P.” in its name.
§1–404. ** TAKES EFFECT OCTOBER 1, 2026 PER CHAPTERS 198 AND 199 OF 2025 **
(a) Any person who owns, operates, or directs an unincorporated organization, firm, association, or other entity which includes in its name the word “corporation”, “incorporated”, or, except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, “limited” or an abbreviation of any of these words or which holds itself out to the public as a corporation is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $500.
(b) This section does not prohibit:
(1) A limited partnership from using the term “limited partnership” in its name;
(2) A limited liability company from using the terms “limited liability company” or “L.L.C.” in its name;
(3) A limited liability partnership from using the terms “limited liability partnership” or “L.L.P.” in its name; or
(4) A limited worker cooperative association from using the terms “limited worker cooperative association” or “L.W.C.A.” in its name.
Status: in_force · Read it on the official government site
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