...unless you actually file to be listed I don't think your sole proprietor name is procted, in other words you can call yourself Sam Hinton Construction and so can I.....but if you want to prevent ME from doing so I think you will need to file with Sec of State.
I have a client that their name is spelled with no 's and their is another with the 's, both are listed with NCSOS, one is LLC, other is INC. Has caused SO MUCH confusion in our lives, they are constantly screwing up and giving out wrong info.
Sam