I just don't get it (name rant)

[kiztent]

Originally posted by splunge
Lets say some yoyo picks the name Frodo and plays it in EQ and sneaks by the GMs and gets to 65.

Whoever is in charge of the Rings books copyright finds out and gets said panties in a wad and sues SOE.

Wheres the loss? Any judge would laugh and say 'How did Sony harm you in any way?'

What's the weather like on your planet Splunge? Maybe the case would get thrown out after a few hundred hours of lawyers fees are racked up.

[Draggar]

Originally posted by Quichon
De'vir was a Drow family in the ever-popular series that brought us the umpteen-zillion Drizzt clones. They could be basing their refusal on that copyright.

That, I knew, and if that was their consistent reasoning for rejecting it (while it was accepted on two other servers) I would have been a lot better about it. Besides, I've had that name BEFORE I read R.A. Salvatore's books. (I know, it won't make a difference, but that's the truth).

But, their consistent reasoning was that "It might mean the virus in German" (I don't know German, so I can't verify, but it also sounds like these GMs might not know too much German either), which might be insulting to some people.

(Well, I do know some Spanish, and it would mean 'of life' in Spanish).

It's just interesting that a GM would deliberately allow Heyeu Pull'Myfinger.

The worst one I've seen so far, Jennifur Lopawz. (I'll give you a minute). And yes, she was a Vah'Shir.

[Kakg]

Originally posted by kiztent
Maybe the case would get thrown out after a few hundred hours of lawyers fees are racked up.

You're right about the threat of racking up big defense bills being a major reason for care on SOE's part when issuing rules but there is one thing that has to be remembered - HOW are they going to find out that someone has used the name Frodo in EQ?

And even if someone does make a legal threat all SOE have to do is say "Oh, really? Thanks very much for pointing it out to us. It's a violation of our policy and we have cancelled that persons account immediately and deleted that character........ Now, you were saying?"

[Dunthor Warsmith]

Originally posted by Kakg
And even if someone does make a legal threat all SOE have to do is say "Oh, really? Thanks very much for pointing it out to us. It's a violation of our policy and we have cancelled that persons account immediately and deleted that character........ Now, you were saying?"

Could still probably sue for damages that occured while the name was in existance, even if its not anymore. (Analogy that I hope people don't blow out of proportion) If you assault someone, and stop before the cops arrive, you're still in trouble.

[Nhin Impious]

The only reason anyone could come up for the rejection was the ghnv consonant string registering as unpronounceable.

I don't believe that's an issue anymore.

Acthenhar Sl'rinx
('Enhar, please)

[Koru]

The only reason anyone could come up for the rejection was the ghnv consonant string registering as unpronounceable.

If that were the case the character named something like (I don't remember the exact spelling for obvious reasons) Illffilfilifilif that I ran into couple of years ago would have been in some trouble. That was pre- /tt command and before chat channels as well. I always wondered how that guy's friends managed it.

[Bigtoxic]

Just today i saw 2 toons in Nek Jaayy -- Silantbob i kinda chuckeled :P

[scarbrowed]

Originally posted by Dunthor Warsmith
Could still probably sue for damages that occured while the name was in existance, even if its not anymore. (Analogy that I hope people don't blow out of proportion) If you assault someone, and stop before the cops arrive, you're still in trouble.

The problem with this analogy is no one will believe you when you say you did not know it was a person you hit. (Unless you can convince the judge you thought it was a real mannequin.)

On the other hand, by current US law, a hosting company can't be held liable for copyright violations by it's customers until it is notified. Now Sony's legal relationship to it's customers is probably hazy, I'll admit. But I think the good faith efforts Sony makes to catch violators would probably protect it in court. But I bet Sony will try everything it can to avoid court just in case.

Edit: I meant good faith. "God faith effort" does not sound legal.

[Trixzie]

And if I see another bard named Brittneee Speeeers I'm going to scream.

This is a pet peeve of mine. Saw a bard the other day with the name "Avvril La'Vigne"

[Quichon]

Almost as bad as the Jeniifire Llopezz I saw the other day...

[Darknyss]

I think the main problem here is not the rejection of names that the server can handle, but more or less the ones that have to be approved by a GM.

I can see Brittnee Spaers getting away with it... I can see Fat Causeieatsomuch getting away with it... and even (to some extent) those racial and sexual ones that the GM's haven't caught on to yet...

it's when they petition for an apostrophe in their name and a GM says.. "Sure, that sounds like a reasonable and allowable name", when it can be as inappropriate.

There's a big difference between Inthekkk Negrokilla and Inthekkk Negro`killa...

Neither of them are acceptable, but one of them was accepted by a GM in order for the apostrophe to be there... and that's the sort of thing that pisses me off...

Although, I did have to laugh at the lvl1 Paladin named Jeebus that kept waiting an hour... and then running around to LoH somebody...

[Tinile]

Although, I did have to laugh at the lvl1 Paladin named Jeebus that kept waiting an hour... and then running around to LoH somebody...

bwahahahahahahahaha

[NVekRN]

Here's a tricky one for ya...

My druid is named Oonagh (alternate spelling of Una or Oona, depending on your language preference).

I'll occasionally get people mentioning "Oh, hey, that's the fairy chick from Legend." Which is true - though not sure exactly how hers was spelled. Therefore, I am a horrible awful person who is violating the rule of using a copyrighted character name. (Though at least it's a semi-obscure one. I want to strangle someone every time I see this guy on my server named Legolizzit... *grumble*)

However, Oonagh is also my real name. It's on my driver's license, etc. (I was having an uncreative moment when I made that character).

So, if you were a GM, and some silly person complained about my name.. what would ya do? *grin*

Oonagh RedRaven
Blyx, Xaia, and Xaida N'Vek
Ixys the newbie froggie

Rodcet Nife

[Zaephod]

Originally posted by NVekRN
So, if you were a GM, and some silly person complained about my name.. what would ya do? *grin*

Beat you with a stick? Not for your name or anything.. but because I would be an overworked, underapreciated, underpowered guide that is supposed to save the EQ Customer service reputation without the power to do jack crap.

And then I'd tell the complainer to piss off too

I'd probably also learn to type....

[Itek]

Well... since you asked...

I'd thank the /pet (petitioner) for their input and tell them I'd look into it.

I'd pull up your account records and see if you had been previously warned about naming violations or had this name previously noted as an exception by a Guide or GM.

Then I'd window out (old days, check on second computer) to see if that spelling were indeed a copyright violation.

Presuming:

1) No prior naming problems
2) No prior permission
3) It is the copyrighted spelling

Then I'd contact you, politely, and tell you about the problem. If you claimed it was your real life name I'd say that it's a Bad-Idea(tm) to use your real life name in an online environment because of the rise of identity theft. Then I'd explain that you would have to request a name change from a GM.

(In the old days I'd tell you to /petition during Server-GM L's office hours, or if that was not possible to email the Server Senior Guides and make an appointment with one of them. Now Sr's don't have power to change first names and there are no "Server-GMs" ... sigh)

Then I'd ask if you wanted me to suggest some possible names. Then when you were ready to get re-named I'd bump the petition up to red and go look for a GM to resolve the problem.

OF COURSE if you happened to be level 35 or higher the point is moot, I'd thank the /pet, note it in my log and delete the petition. (No first name changes for 35+ characters unless they violate naming policy item 1 or 2. Period. Ever. ... Unless they pay the fee for it.)

Of course... I was booted from the Guide Program for actually enforcing naming policy as written. So your mileage will certainly vary.