488.108  Name.
  1.  The name of a limited partnership may contain the name of any partner.
  2.  The name of a limited partnership that is not a limited liability limited partnership must contain the phrase “limited partnership” or the abbreviation “L.P.” or “LP” and must not contain the phrase “limited liability limited partnership” or the abbreviation “LLLP” or “L.L.L.P.”.
  3.  The name of a limited liability limited partnership must contain the phrase “limited liability limited partnership” or the abbreviation “LLLP” or “L.L.L.P.” and must not contain the abbreviation “LP” or “L.P.”.
  4.  Unless authorized by subsection 5, the name of a limited partnership must be distinguishable in the records of the secretary of state from all of the following:
  a.  The name of each person other than an individual incorporated, organized, or authorized to transact business in this state.
  b.  A name reserved, registered, or protected as follows:
  (1)  For a limited liability partnership, section 486A.1001 or 486A.1002.
  (2)  For a limited partnership, this section, section 488.109, or section 488.810.
  (3)  For a business corporation, section 490.401, 490.402, 490.403, or 490.1422.
  (4)  For a limited liability company under chapter 489, section 489.108, 489.109, or 489.706.
  (5)  For a nonprofit corporation, section 504.401, 504.402, 504.403, or 504.1423.
  5.  A limited partnership may apply to the secretary of state for authorization to use a name that does not comply with subsection 4. The secretary of state shall authorize use of the name applied for if, as to each conflicting name, at least one of the following applies:
  a.  The present user, registrant, or owner of the conflicting name consents in a signed record to the use and submits an undertaking in a form satisfactory to the secretary of state to change the conflicting name to a name that complies with subsection 4 and is distinguishable in the records of the secretary of state from the name applied for.
  b.  The applicant delivers to the secretary of state a certified copy of the final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction establishing the applicant’s right to use the name applied for in this state.
  c.  The applicant delivers to the secretary of state proof satisfactory to the secretary of state that at least one of the following applies to the present user, registrant, or owner of the conflicting name:
  (1)  The present user, registrant, or owner of the conflicting name has merged into the applicant.
  (2)  The present user, registrant, or owner of the conflicting name has been converted into the applicant.
  (3)  The present user, registrant, or owner of the conflicting name has transferred substantially all of its assets, including the conflicting name, to the applicant.
  6.  Subject to section 488.905, this section applies to any foreign 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.
  7.  This chapter does not control the use of fictitious names. However, a limited partnership which uses a fictitious name in this state shall deliver to the secretary of state for filing a copy of the resolution of the limited partnership certified by its general partners, adopting the fictitious name.
2004 Acts, ch 1021, §8, 118; 2004 Acts, ch 1049, §191; 2005 Acts, ch 4, §1; 2005 Acts, ch 19, §70; 2006 Acts, ch 1089, §1; 2008 Acts, ch 1162, §137, 154, 155