Hereafter no person shall commence to do business in this state under a name or designation which includes the word "cooperative" or any abbreviation or derivative thereof, if such name or designation be the same as that of any existing association, or so similar to such name as likely to be confused therewith. Any person violating or failing to comply with the provisions of this section shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00).

Laws 1917, c. 22, p. 71, § 22; Laws 1923, c. 181, p. 318, § 22.