(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 term "limited partnership" or the abbreviation "LP" or "L.P." and may not contain the term "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 term "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) of this section, the name of a limited partnership must be distinguishable in the records of the secretary of state from:

     (a) The name of each person other than an individual incorporated, organized, or authorized to transact business in this state through a filing or registration with the secretary of state; and

     (b) Each name reserved under RCW 25.10.071.

     (5) A limited partnership may apply to the secretary of state for authorization to use a name that does not comply with subsection (4) of this section. The secretary of state shall authorize use of the name applied for if, as to each conflicting name:

     (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) of this section 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 in this state the name applied for; or

     (c) The applicant delivers to the secretary of state proof satisfactory to the secretary of state that the present user, registrant, or owner of the conflicting name:

     (i) Has merged into the applicant;

     (ii) Has been converted into the applicant; or

     (iii) Has transferred substantially all of its assets, including the conflicting name, to the applicant.

     (6) Subject to RCW 25.10.661, 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) A name shall not be considered distinguishable upon the records of the secretary of state by virtue of:

     (a) A variation in any of the following designations for the same name: "Corporation," "incorporated," "company," "limited," "partnership," "limited partnership," "limited liability limited partnership," "limited liability company," or "limited liability partnership," or the abbreviations "corp.," "inc.," "co.," "ltd.," "LP," "L.P.," "LLP," "L.L.P.," "LLLP," "L.L.L.P.," "LLC," or "L.L.C.";

     (b) The addition or deletion of an article or conjunction such as "the" or "and" from the same name;

     (c) Punctuation, capitalization, or special characters or symbols in the same name; or

     (d) Use of abbreviation or the plural form of a word in the same name.

     (8) This chapter does not control the use of assumed business names or trade names.

[2009 c 188 § 108.]