- April 23, 2013
- 418
Maxima as Omnitel – no, that is the blessing of linguists needed
Since may, Lithuania sign non-lithuanian business names can be much more difficult. There are fears that would make it difficult to start a business. Lithuanian companies, complex for foreigners, names, for example. Šešios “žąsys” (“six geese”), may have difficulties in foreign markets. Linguists such fears are called provincialism,, rather than a real threat.
The founders of the company from May 1 will give up the rulers of language: the changes will come into force the provisions of the Register of Legal Persons, under which the registry administrator is obliged to check whether the names of newly registered companies comply with the general rules of the Lithuanian language.
After receiving a request to change the name of the entity or an application for the registration of a new legal entity registry administrator will have to request an exchange for the State Commission of the Lithuanian Language (PKJL). If PKJL within six hours of work will inform the registry administrator that the name does not comply with the general rules of the Lithuanian language, the name will not be registered.
– These changes mean that from May 1, you cannot register non-Lithuanian names, i.e. names in English or other foreign languages - says Vilija Viešūnaitė, lawyer professional association of lawyers “Triniti LT”.
The exception is intended only for the company, which is affiliated with a foreign legal entity or other organization, and the name of the company will be identical or similar to the foreign legal entity. In this case, the Register you will need to provide foreign legal agreement.
Slowing down the process
The entrepreneurs are outraged, claiming that the changes make it difficult to start business in Lithuania and certainly do not help Lithuania to climb step higher in the ranking of the World Bank “Doing Business”. Aidas Petrošius, a representative of the Centre of registers (CR), says that the registration process may be slowed down because each name you will need to pass to verify by linguists, and spent a couple of hours.
– We will make every effort to ensure that businesses feel the least possible impact of this news, but we cannot guarantee that the process of registration or reservation of the name of the new entity will take place as quickly as before, – said A. Petrošius and said that now the name can be reserved in the one day.
There are also concerns that the news could harm our businesses in foreign markets.
– Companies that do not want to work abroad in the Lithuanian name, for example, UAB “Kava ir meduoliai” (“Coffee and gingerbread”), and would like for that to use the English name, because of the new requirements will be harder to exist on foreign markets – V.Viešūnaitė says.
Maxima fits, Omnitel – no
Jūratė Palionytė, Vice-President of the State Commission of the Lithuanian Language, explains that the Civil Code has long been required to match the name of the general standards of the Lithuanian language, but so far the Centre of Registers unable to control whether the name actually corresponds to the above. standards. Since May, the check will be necessary.
– Name in English or another foreign language Lithuanian language rules is not responding – he says.
The interviewee reassures that the procedure due to consulting linguists do not extend.
– This is a short process, the name is displayed on the screen and simply press the key. They worked on three of them. I believe that we can meet the task and will not need additional posts – jokes.
According to Mr Palionytė, fears that the names of the Lithuanian is supposedly harder to appear on the foreign market, shows a provincialism of our business.
– In the world there are many well-known companies with non-English names, there are many Scandinavian names which are easy to pronounce, for example, “Gjensidige”, but that does not stop these companies to strengthen our overseas markets. Yeah, the name of the company is important but often much more important is the brand. Moreover, also in the Lithuanian language can come up with the name of the company, the pronunciation would be complicated for people in other countries – says linguist.
Incidentally, the names of some well-known and long-running business in Lithuania wouldn’t pass the language exam on May 1.
According to Mr Palionytė, the name “Omnitel” could not be registered because it has features characteristic of Lithuanian words – ends.
– Ideally suited word “Omnitelis” because it is similar to the Lithuanian word. Z “Maxima” is different: Latin names are an exception – they are permissible because they do not have a negative impact on the Lithuanian language, they do not replace our words. It’s some historical and cultural heritage of Europe. The name “Maxima” meets the requirements of legislation – explains the intricacies of interlocutor.
Tłumaczenie Katarzyna Dąbrowska w ramach praktyk w Europejskiej Fundacji Praw Człowieka, www.efhr.eu. Translated by Katarzyna Dąbrowska within the framework of a traineeship programme of the European Foundation of Human Rights, www.efhr.eu.
