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Naming Policy

SystemSystem Member, NoReporting Posts: 178,019 Arc User
For those of you who don't surf the main web site.. I got the information for you.

Cryptic's Naming Policy for STO

http://www.startrekonline.com/support/policies/names

Character Name Creation:
To ensure that Star Trek Online is a fun, fair, and safe environment, there are a few basic guidelines that all users are required to abide by in-game when choosing names.

Character Name, Handle, Ship, and Fleet Names May Not:

Be designed to impersonate a real life individual or entity

Be the name of any Atari or Cryptic Studios product, character, or employee (This includes Cryptic Game Masters)

Incorporate vulgar, obscene, hateful, defamatory language or imagery

Be derogatory towards racial, ethnical, cultural background, or sexual orientation

Incorporate the name or image of a religious figure or deity

Incorporate any form of religious title (i.e. "The Lord", "Rabbi")

Relate to illegal drugs or activities

Be nonsensical or gibberish (“asdlkfj” or “Jkljkl”)

Advertise any form of website, product, or service

Comprised of partial or complete sentences (e.g., “Welovechicken”)

Be the registered property of any other company




Character Costume Creation:
Star Trek Online offers an incredibly customizable character/costume creator. We understand that you may want to emulate, mimic or create a copy of your favorite real life or fictitious character as your Star Trek Online Captain, but we ask you be aware of the following guidelines when creating your new Captain.

While Creating your Costume:

You may not create costumes or costume/name combinations that are recognizable as the registered property of any company. (This includes things such as: comics, anime, movies, or video games.)

When creating costume combinations, you may not create the illusion or appearance that you are indecent, obscene, or nude.


If characters are found in violation of this policy it may lead to disciplinary actions against the offending account. This could include suspension from the game or possibly account termination. Any character name or name/costume combinations which are against Cryptic’s Policy will be changed by Cryptic Support Staff.

For the full legal documentation of this policy, please see our Terms of Use


As the GM's and Devs have stated, if you see a name in game that violates this policy, send a petition in.

Simple enough rules to follow.
Post edited by baddmoonrizin on

Comments

  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2010
    Some of the names with vulgar, obscene, hateful, defamatory language in them should be reported. I assume that's what this post is about? Or is it another OMG I saw someone named Jaymes Kurk?
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2010
    mrlee95 wrote: »
    Some of the names with vulgar, obscene, hateful, defamatory language in them should be reported. I assume that's what this post is about? Or is it another OMG I saw someone named Jaymes Kurk?

    It is a simple post stating the naming policy. if Jaymes Kurk violates one of the rules above, then it should be reported. If the name is vulgar or obscene, then it should be reported..

    I for one want a fun, enjoyable, non offensive game where people aren't using Copywritten names because they don't wnat to use their own creative talent.

    so basically, I intent so help see the rules enforced.

    If you don't agree, then so be it.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2010
    Is that the termator's head on a starfleet uniform?!?!? OMG YOU SHOULD BE BANNED!!

    Did you get permssion to use that photo?
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2010
    mrlee95 wrote: »
    Is that the termator's head on a starfleet uniform?!?!? OMG YOU SHOULD BE BANNED!!

    Did you get permssion to use that photo?

    Actually images posted on the Internat by the Copywrite holder are subject to fair use laws.

    All my images come from the appropriate Studio's web sites, as such, subject to Fair Usage laws, for which I created my avatar.

    Perfectly legal in every sence of the word.

    If you don't believe me, check the various studio web sites and look up their fair usage policies.

    No violation here.

    /ignore Troll post above.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2010
    does this mean we can report silly ship names like the USS Britney spears??? :rolleyes:
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2010
    CMDRSAVEK wrote: »
    does this mean we can report silly ship names like the USS Britney spears??? :rolleyes:

    Actually, yes. Unless the person flying the ship has written consent to be using her name.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2010
    Report it if you think it's in violation, they will check it out and do what's needed.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2010
    It is a simple post stating the naming policy. if Jaymes Kurk violates one of the rules above, then it should be reported. If the name is vulgar or obscene, then it should be reported..

    I for one want a fun, enjoyable, non offensive game where people aren't using Copywritten names because they don't wnat to use their own creative talent.

    so basically, I intent so help see the rules enforced.

    If you don't agree, then so be it.

    Well what if he -> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Kirk_(actor) decided to play? he could not use his real name? I gave up long ago being the name police I am to old to care about trivial things. I just want to have fun even if I have to fly with Aragorn flying in teh USS Nasgaul. Although I will report obscene and vulgar ones.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2010
    When creating costume combinations, you may not create the illusion or appearance that you are indecent, obscene, or nude.

    But the Orion girls do it all the time!!! How in the world is a metal bra and a piece of cloth around your waist decent!?
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2010
    Actually images posted on the Internat by the Copywright holder are subject to fair use laws.

    All my images come from the appropriate Studio's web sites, as such, subject to Fair Usage laws, for which I created my avatar.

    I can't begin to tell you how wrong you are... except that you are extremely wrong

    This is in the terms and conditions of the Terminator site
    Modification or use of the Material or any other content on this Site for any purpose not permitted by these Terms of Use may be a violation of the Copyrights and/or Trademarks and is prohibited.

    You may access and display Material and all other content displayed on this Site for non-commercial, personal, entertainment use on a single computer only. The Material and all other content on this Site may not otherwise be copied, reproduced, republished, uploaded, posted, transmitted, distributed or used in any way unless specifically authorized by Warner

    You will find that sort of thing on pretty much every website. However for the purpose of forum avatars it's usually allowed to slide.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2010
    Konekochan wrote:
    But the Orion girls do it all the time!!! How in the world is a metal bra and a piece of cloth around your waist decent!?
    For Orion Girls, that is well dressed :)

    People will just treat you how name your ship. I saw a Captian (sic) Kirk, with the USS Enterprize (sic), I bet he wonders why people will not group with him.

    Generally I have seen pretty good names, a couple cringe worthy ones though. I will not hesitate to report names that are obvious attempts to get around obscenity filter, but just stupid names I just let pass,

    Unlike most MMORPGs where you only get one name to make a impression, STO you get 2 (or three if you count the forum name) so choose wisely.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2010
    I can't begin to tell you how wrong you are... except that you are extremely wrong

    This is in the terms and conditions of the Terminator site



    You will find that sort of thing on pretty much every website. However for the purpose of forum avatars it's usually allowed to slide.

    Um, You better check the Court Cases.

    an Avatar is considered a Thumbnail image.. as such :
    A US court case in 2003, Kelly v. Arriba Soft Corporation, provides and develops the relationship between thumbnails, inline linking and fair use. In the lower District Court case on a motion for summary judgment, Arriba Soft was found to have violated copyright without a fair use defense in the use of thumbnail pictures and inline linking from Kelly's website in Arriba's image search engine. That decision was appealed and contested by Internet rights activists such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation, who argued that it is clearly covered under fair use.

    On appeal, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals found in favor of the defendant. In reaching its decision, the court utilized the above-mentioned four-factor analysis. First, it found the purpose of creating the thumbnail images as previews to be sufficiently transformative, noting that they were not meant to be viewed at high resolution like the original artwork was. Second, the fact that the photographs had already been published diminished the significance of their nature as creative works. Third, although normally making a "full" replication of a copyrighted work may appear to violate copyright, here it was found to be reasonable and necessary in light of the intended use. Lastly, the court found that the market for the original photographs would not be substantially diminished by the creation of the thumbnails. To the contrary, the thumbnail searches could increase exposure of the originals. In looking at all these factors as a whole, the court found that the thumbnails were fair use and remanded the case to the lower court for trial after issuing a revised opinion on July 7, 2003.

    as such, Thumbnail images, whether altered or not, constitute Fair Usage by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

    again my avatar is completely legal..

    Thanks for playing.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    I understand you like to play the internet police and you are on this holy crusade and all...
    But is this really the time to do this? Can't we let the people at Cryptic focus on fixing the game 1st instead of them taking the time banning, suspending, warning people?

    Again I totally understand the vulgar/racist names and they should be dealt with. But Cryptic dosen't need to go thru reports of people reporting people with names like Jaymes R Kyrk or Brat Favrae!!!

    Let stuff settle down a little, then proceed on with your quest for justice!!!
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Um, You better check the Court Cases.

    an Avatar is considered a Thumbnail image.. as such :



    as such, Thumbnail images, whether altered or not, constitute Fair Usage by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

    again my avatar is completely legal..

    Thanks for playing.

    Read on fool
    On one of his web sites Kelly says that after failure to reach a settlement, default judgment in his favor was obtained on the remaining issues on March 18, 2004. However, at that point the owner of the Arriba search engine (Sourceron Inc.) had gone out of business and there was no one for Kelly to settle with. With no one left to defend the case Kelly managed to get a judgement against Arriba Soft Inc. and entity that no longer existed in any form.

    "Judgment shall be entered in favor of Plaintiff LESLIE A. KELLY, and individual and d/b/a LES KELLY PUBLICATIONS, LES KELLY ENTERPRISES, and SHOW ME THE GOLD and against Defendant ARRIBA SOFT CORPORATION, aka DITTO.COM in the sum of $345,000.00, plus reasonable attorney's fees in the sum of $6,068.20. s/Gary L. Taylor, UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT JUDGE.

    Can't be used as a test case and he copyright dance goes on.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Plus I find that picture offensive, I think I may need to contact an Admin!!! That is just a total disgrace to Star Trek to have a Terminator in a Starfleet uniform!!!

    I don't think I will be able to go thru the day with this "disrespectful Avatar" on the Star Trek forums!!!
    I know for sure that my game play experience will change due to this!!! WHAT A DISGRACE TO STAR TREK FANS!!!!!
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Actually, yes. Unless the person flying the ship has written consent to be using her name.

    Actually not true. I can name my ship Britney Spears all I want. The name cannot be reserved for all eternity because some blond bimbo becomes a famous singer. There are other individuals with the same name and it happens with names that are not obviously part of a A list celebrity will more or less belong to someone nontheless. So the names really cover specific trademark names such as "Lady GAGA" or "Maddona". Any normal name/surname combination can be disputed by anyone as being a different person to the one you think it is :D
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Actually not true. I can name my ship Britney Spears all I want. The name cannot be reserved for all eternity because some blond bimbo becomes a famous singer. There are other individuals with the same name and it happens with names that are not obviously part of a A list celebrity will more or less belong to someone nontheless. So the names really cover specific trademark names such as "Lady GAGA" or "Maddona". Any normal name/surname combination can be disputed by anyone as being a different person to the one you think it is :D

    You can name your ship Britney, but if someone petitions it then it's Cryptic's call (specifically the GM that picks up the ticket) as to whether you keep it.
    Their naming policy specifically gives them that right and you as a customer agree to it as part of the TOS/EULA.

    This isn't down to copywrite laws or trademarking, this is Cryptic's terms as the owners of the game. Same terms as Champs Online from what I remember...
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    You can name your ship Britney, but if someone petitions it then it's Cryptic's call (specifically the GM that picks up the ticket) as to whether you keep it.
    Their naming policy specifically gives them that right and you as a customer agree to it as part of the TOS/EULA.

    This isn't down to copywrite laws or trademarking, this is Cryptic's terms as the owners of the game. Same terms as Champs Online from what I remember...

    So in effect like I said you dont need permission from the "celebrity". Maybe Cryptic decides to disallow the use in game but that is "their" opinion on it and not a legal decision. So before you disagree with me, make sure we are not on the same page ;)
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