An individual or a partnership may legally transact business under a fictitious or assumed name, unless prohibited by statute, provided there is no fraudulent intent, infringement of trademarks or tradenames, or unfair competition. Most states have enacted statutes regulating the conduct of business under a name that does not disclose the names of the interested persons, such statutes having the object of protecting the public by providing information as to the persons with whom they deal, so as to afford protection against fraud and deceit.