In German commercial law, Firma means the name under which a merchant conducts business and signs. Everyday usage may refer to the whole business, but the register records its legal name.
Meaning and context
A brand, shop name or website address may differ from the registered name. The applicable legal form designation, such as GmbH or KG, forms part of the complete name.
What the documents show
A chronological extract can help trace name changes. An older contract may therefore identify the same legal entity under an earlier name. Similar names alone do not establish identity.
Research tip
Compare the name with the register court, number and registered office. If a search fails, try earlier spellings and consider the dates of the documents.