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Character Names: yoda me this batman

SystemSystem Member, NoReporting Posts: 178,019 Arc User
So after playing closed and open beta I had already grown extensively tired of every other character being named a derivative of Kirk or Riker. So when live came up I happily spent an exoebenant amount of time creating the best looking Yoda I could conjure given the tools at hand. When it came time to name him, obviously I chose "Yoda".

This led to people commenting on how awesome the character was, and how awesome the the avatar was in pvp. People seemed amused by it, and I can't say I didn't enjoy being a little different from every one else. Only once did I receive a very very angry "THIS ISN'T SWG, DON'T YOU KNOW YODA ISN'T IN STARTREK", which made me giggle.

The next day however I arrive at the login screen to find that I have official been warned for violation of the Eula, and that I had to change my name. I was a little Perturbed with this so obviously I created GM_Yoda, which gets all the same comments as before, but now people ask me about their tickets too.

At this point I opened a ticket hoping to discuss the issue with a gm in a logical manner, or atleast get a bit more indepth response....what I got instead was the GM telling me to take my issue to the forum. I was astonished...now I assume that this is just a blow off message, but i figured I'd give it a shot and see if the community thinks....

Should I be able to have the Yoda name, or not?

If you believe I should be restricted to StarTrek Only names, please include the one you are using in game.
Post edited by Unknown User on
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Comments

  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    I, for one, do not care if you have a non-star trek name.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Yoda is Yoda
    but why ppl think there no more Yoda named ppl in galaxy :D
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Akov wrote:
    The next day however I arrive at the login screen to find that I have official been warned for violation of the Eula, and that I had to change my name. I was a little Perturbed with this so obviously I created GM_Yoda, which gets all the same comments as before, but now people ask me about their tickets too.

    So, you have to name change, and you decide to impersonate a GM as the next step? And then complain about it on the forum?
    Akov wrote:
    At this point I opened a ticket hoping to discuss the issue with a gm in a logical manner, or atleast get a bit more indepth response....

    Oh yes, poor, innocent little Akov.... please. From everything you've described, you've acted like a spoiled child having a tantrum because they were told they couldn't have the candy bar they wanted.
    Akov wrote:
    what I got instead was the GM telling me to take my issue to the forum. I was astonished...now I assume that this is just a blow off message, but i figured I'd give it a shot and see if the community thinks....

    Given your exaggerations so far, I'd say this is most likely a lie.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    I don't mind, i just chuckle at the lack of originality. :p
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    i don't like the naming process in STO at all.

    shouldn't state the account imo and names should be unique :P but i guess it's way easier this way...
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    isn't the character Yoda - along with his likeness likely to be the copywrite property of lucasarts?

    Is the OP going for somekind of wierd award for most obvious EULA infringement?
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Why is this an issue? I'm confused really, cause I;ve seen names from heaps of other established related fiction that could infringe on copyright issues. Thus I don't see why the use of the name Yoda would be a banable offence? Can you explain the reasons you were given cause I'm not sure why you were asked to change the name in the first place?

    :confused:
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Considering there's so many other names out there (and Trek names are typically very simple, ie Picard, Crusher, Riker, Troi, LaForge, Paris, Torres, Janeway, Kim, Sisko, O'Brien and so on) I fail to see why you have to pull out Yoda (!) from Star Wars.

    Noone would even think twice if you went by your own name, nor would anyone really be surprised if there were 314 different Captain John Smith's or 123 Commander Paul Anderson's out there. Common names are common names, after all.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    isn't the character Yoda - along with his likeness likely to be the copywrite property of lucasarts?

    Is the OP going for somekind of wierd award for most obvious EULA infringement?

    We all know who Yoda is. Most likely Cryptic is trying to avoid any legal concerns by banning the name Yoda. I know I would if I were them. The OP is an idiot. But he's not the only one. There will be more of these threads I'm sure.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    isn't the character Yoda - along with his likeness likely to be the copywrite property of lucasarts?

    Is the OP going for somekind of wierd award for most obvious EULA infringement?

    Pfft Cryptic wouldn't be liable for someone creating a copyrighted character. I have a feeling it was just an automated response from a GM, they have some sort of point system in place where if enough people report you it will be changed.

    I'm personally more annoyed with the Jean Luc Dicards0101 out there than any Star Wars name. I actually tend to think its funny people create those names in a Star Trek game as there's always been a sort of rivalry between Star Trek and Star Wars fans.

    Cryptic had an epic fail moment when they designed and implemented their naming system, as it doesn't censor ship names like Hitler.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    AidenPryde wrote: »
    Pfft Cryptic wouldn't be liable for someone creating a copyrighted character. .

    Mail order legal degree FTL.....

    Apparently you missed the Marvel lawsuit against Cryptic over the very same issue with City of Heroes.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Mail order legal degree FTL.....

    Apparently you missed the Marvel lawsuit against Cryptic over the very same issue with City of Heroes.

    You also apparently missed the verdict:

    "The official City of Heroes site is reporting that Marvel's lawsuit over the CoH character generator has been settled. It looks like CoH essentially won, though it's unclear what price, if any, they're paying for the victory. The key portion of the brief press release: 'The parties' settlement allows them all to continue to develop and sell exciting and innovative products, but does not reduce the players' ability to express their creativity in making and playing original and exciting characters ... While the terms of the settlement were not disclosed, all parties agree that this case was never about monetary issues and that the fans of their respective products and characters are the winners in this settlement.'"

    Source: http://games.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=05/12/15/0646239
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    CHUCK NORRIS ftw
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    I guess the OP didn't read the EULA.


    It has nothing to do with Non-Star Trek names (though I don't know how actual Star Trek names fall into this), it has to do with Copyrighted names.


    You may see alot of other "characters" out there, but they'll get their name change notice soon enough. Other MMOs have this, too.

    It's to protect Cryptic's TRIBBLE from getting sued.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    AidenPryde wrote: »
    You also apparently missed the verdict:

    "The official City of Heroes site is reporting that Marvel's lawsuit over the CoH character generator has been settled. It looks like CoH essentially won, though it's unclear what price, if any, they're paying for the victory. The key portion of the brief press release: 'The parties' settlement allows them all to continue to develop and sell exciting and innovative products, but does not reduce the players' ability to express their creativity in making and playing original and exciting characters ... While the terms of the settlement were not disclosed, all parties agree that this case was never about monetary issues and that the fans of their respective products and characters are the winners in this settlement.'"

    Source: http://games.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=05/12/15/0646239

    And, Cryptic had to take reasonable action against such characters. Which, means banning, or they could face legal trouble again. Marvel had to file suit, to defend their trademarks. Otherwise they risk losing them. So yes, Cryptic could be in trouble if there was not a formal process involving the issue of trademark and copyright protected names brought to their attention.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    I guess the OP didn't read the EULA.


    It has nothing to do with Non-Star Trek names (though I don't know how actual Star Trek names fall into this), it has to do with Copyrighted names.


    You may see alot of other "characters" out there, but they'll get their name change notice soon enough. Other MMOs have this, too.

    It's to protect Cryptic's TRIBBLE from getting sued.

    True Dat! That's exactly the issue, but I'm reminded of the "Catass" fury in WoW. Guy named his character Catass and leveled to max and pwned the end game content for over a year until someone complained "the char's name is cat TRIBBLE." Yep, it sucked that he had to change his name after establishing himself as one of the major players on his server, BUT he was the fool that named his char while his cat was rubbing its butt up against him.

    I'll be the first to admit that in game my character is Commander Leroy Jenkins driving the Federation Science Vessel USS Albert Gore, but that's because I wanted to have a little naming fun and I'm not going to cry big crocodile tears when the GMs come calling. :)
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    So, you have to name change, and you decide to impersonate a GM as the next step? And then complain about it on the forum?

    Given your exaggerations so far, I'd say this is most likely a lie.

    Well, the funny thing about it is, GM_Yoda is an acceptable name by Cryptic's standards, while Yoda is not. Whats worse is that when I logged out the night before, the last thing I saw was Darth Vader, Darth Sidius, and Darth Maul running missions out by Cardassia. I've checked and they still have their names. I am curious what name you are using in game, and how well it conforms to the rules though.

    Even though its pretty hard to provide proof, I will try, heres a screen shot of it. If you think it was photoshopped hit me up in PM and I'll setup a webex


    http://i45.tinypic.com/w8s07p.png
    I guess the OP didn't read the EULA.
    It's to protect Cryptic's TRIBBLE from getting sued.

    I picked through it in Closed beta which I didn't catch it then, not sure if it was in there or not. Currently the Legal Precedent is that no one is responsible for their user's created content. Only the users them selves are. There are dozens of cases that prove this point from forum posts to bit torrent trackers. That being said Lucas could sue me personally for using the name, but thats the risk I take.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    In EULA it clearly describes the situation you are referring to. You have made a tradmarked character belonging to another company. You can't have that character because you don't own that character. If you were the owner of that character it would be a different issue. You don't own him, Cryptic doesn't own him, and the owner of that character might take issue with you playing as him in a game they don't own simple as that.

    I don't think you can have GM_anything in your name. Impersonating an employee of Cryptic is also clearly stated in the EULA. I highly suggest you read it instead of complaining about this issue since these have been clearly documented in the EULA.

    Don't worry about anyone else. You have clearly violated the EULA twice.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Maybe Star Wars is in the Andromeda galaxy in the same universe as Star Trek. It's possible...
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Don't worry about anyone else. You have clearly violated the EULA twice.

    This is about the policy in the Eula, not did I brake the eula. And please post your Eula conforming Name here :]
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Akov wrote:
    Well, the funny thing about it is, GM_Yoda is an acceptable name by Cryptic's standards, while Yoda is not. Whats worse is that when I logged out the night before, the last thing I saw was Darth Vader, Darth Sidius, and Darth Maul running missions out by Cardassia. I've checked and they still have their names. I am curious what name you are using in game, and how well it conforms to the rules though.

    Even though its pretty hard to provide proof, I will try, heres a screen shot of it. If you think it was photoshopped hit me up in PM and I'll setup a webex


    http://i45.tinypic.com/w8s07p.png



    I picked through it in Closed beta which I didn't catch it then, not sure if it was in there or not. Currently the Legal Precedent is that no one is responsible for their user's created content. Only the users them selves are. There are dozens of cases that prove this point from forum posts to bit torrent trackers. That being said Lucas could sue me personally for using the name, but thats the risk I take.

    The fact is they don't want copyrighted characters with names and likenesses being used in their game. If someone gets reported for doing this and the GM involved agrees - you will get your name changed. Other characters flying around (like the Siths you mention) will no doubt be gotten round to as they are reported.

    This is their space and they make the rules. They are explained as clearly as they can be in the EULA and thats that.

    You can give them as much legal reassurance as you like but if they feel that a user has created content in their game which exposes them to a legal challenge, then they will take action. Whether you want to argue over the fact that you don't believe any such legal challenge would be successful is of no concern to them.

    And FYI, technically opening topics to discuss GM actions is an infrigment in itself.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    And FYI, technically opening topics to discuss GM actions is an infrigment in itself.

    But a Gm told me to?
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Well for what it's worth I got *****ed out for having the "USS Arthur Dent". So I feel your pain.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Well for what it's worth I got *****ed out for having the "USS Arthur Dent". So I feel your pain.


    least you weren't a vogon
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Akov wrote:
    so obviously I created GM_Yoda, which gets all the same comments as before, but now people ask me about their tickets too.

    You're great. First making a character that is obviously gonna be an insult to most trekkies; then impersonating a GM?

    First one justified a warning; second justifies a ban pure and simple.

    PS: btw, Yoda is a copyrighted character, which is off-limits.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Bottom line is this...

    Some intellectual property will be more heavily defended than others. Yoda is from Star Wars. Lucasarts is terribly protective of their property and so Cryptic will have not much choice but to target the Star Wars related character names.

    However, if you were to create a character named Captain Rick Deckard, no one is even going to bat an eye because despite that being the main character of arguably one of the best science fiction films ever made, I don't think anyone will be worrying about that little piece of intellectual property.

    If you really must pay "hommage" to some of your favorite characters, then name your ship after them. Which in your opinion would be more of an issue:

    Captain Annakin Skywalker of the USS Knight

    OR

    Captain James Knight of the USS Skywalker

    Both are liscence infringement issues with Lucasarts, but the first is much more problematic than the second because the first is more an issue of character name theft, while the second is more an "hommage" to the impact of Star Wars on Science Fiction.

    Cheers!
    Post_Superbowl_Canuck :)
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Akov wrote:
    So after playing closed and open beta I had already grown extensively tired of every other character being named a derivative of Kirk or Riker. So when live came up I happily spent an exoebenant amount of time creating the best looking Yoda I could conjure given the tools at hand. When it came time to name him, obviously I chose "Yoda".

    This led to people commenting on how awesome the character was, and how awesome the the avatar was in pvp. People seemed amused by it, and I can't say I didn't enjoy being a little different from every one else. Only once did I receive a very very angry "THIS ISN'T SWG, DON'T YOU KNOW YODA ISN'T IN STARTREK", which made me giggle.

    The next day however I arrive at the login screen to find that I have official been warned for violation of the Eula, and that I had to change my name. I was a little Perturbed with this so obviously I created GM_Yoda, which gets all the same comments as before, but now people ask me about their tickets too.

    At this point I opened a ticket hoping to discuss the issue with a gm in a logical manner, or atleast get a bit more indepth response....what I got instead was the GM telling me to take my issue to the forum. I was astonished...now I assume that this is just a blow off message, but i figured I'd give it a shot and see if the community thinks....

    Should I be able to have the Yoda name, or not?

    If you believe I should be restricted to StarTrek Only names, please include the one you are using in game.

    I honestly believe you should be able to call your character whatever you want, as long as it is not hurtful to any person, race, religion or sexual conviction.

    I am also getting a little sick of all the picards out there etc, and i believe that any game, tv show even person that cannot take a joke, or accept that their way is not the only way is the people that will destoy a game like this.

    I have been flamed a couple of times online, and been told reported for my name. As it was not a proper designation... My characters name is Twenty of Plenty...... i do not see anything wrong with that or OP's name.

    People need to relax and understand that this is a game, not real life, and no one has ever been sued for calling someone something, then everyone that calls their character Picard or Riker should be sued as well.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Actually did a bit of reading and found that by implementing the copywrite rule willy nilly they are accepting responsibility for the names that they aren't forcing a change to. My Name was changed a bit over a week ago now, but my Han Solo IKS toon still retains its name. So they could be proven to be responsible for allowing Han Solo. Not sure what bearing that has on anything though, but I honestly believe that they don't care about the legal issue.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Tricksty wrote:
    I honestly believe you should be able to call your character whatever you want, as long as it is not hurtful to any person, race, religion or sexual conviction.

    It is considered hurtful to George Lucas' intellectual property to be named Yoda :)

    As for "Twenty of Plenty", its not a correct borg designation; but your character is a liberated borg at best, one of Hugh's followers; those who decided to reject the collective and go for individuality; taking names of their own; not designations.

    Seven of Nine; is not a liberated borg; she still wants to go back to the collective; she stills hears the collective; and she refuses to use her human name and prefers to keep her designation. Want to see true liberated borgs? check the bridge dual-episode from season 6-7 called "Descent"

    Here's a link to that episode : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpejjLh6yKo
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    hivewasp wrote: »
    You're great. First making a character that is obviously gonna be an insult to most trekkies; then impersonating a GM?

    First one justified a warning; second justifies a ban pure and simple.

    PS: btw, Yoda is a copyrighted character, which is off-limits.

    There are 23 vader's, 25 yoda's, 25 skywalker's and Chuck Norris in eve .
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