NationStates Jolt Archive

Can anyone give guidelines as to what sort of nation name variants are acceptable in the event of the desired name being unavailable?

Also, could I enquire about my name's legality?

I don't see why the scientific designation for the common rat could be offensive... as for the others, if it refers to a body part, a swear word, or tries to copy another player's name too closely (as in similar motto, flag, currency and animal) (or a mod's) it is a problem. Otherwise.... should be ok.

or tries to copy another player's name too closely (as in similar motto, flag, currency and animal) (or a mod's) it is a problem. Otherwise.... should be ok.

Just to clarify... isn't it legal to closely mimic another nation for intel perposes, but NOT to desicrate their name or reputation?

Just to clarify... isn't it legal to closely mimic another nation for intel perposes, but NOT to desicrate their name or reputation?

What do you mean by 'intel purposes'?

With respect to my colleague Katganistan, there is a slight ammendment to the above.

"Resembling another player's name" is OK in some cases - for popular names, such as "America", there will naturally be many variations as people try to make their version of the nation. This is true for a great many names; often the one you want is already taken.

Really there's only a problem if a nation has been created to defame another player or group of players (and even then it tends to be judged on a case-by-case basis, as that's a judgement of intent and hard to quantify over the Internet).

~ Tsar the Mod.

If by "intel purposes" you mean closely duplicating a name in order to get information you may not otherwise be entitled to (i.e., being a spy), I'm not sure that would be entirely legal. It would probably fall under Tsaraine's "defame" category.

<--- Not a mod either.

If by "intel purposes" you mean closely duplicating a name in order to get information you may not otherwise be entitled to (i.e., being a spy), I'm not sure that would be entirely legal.

Defame is to purposely cause a negative change in one's reputation or character; gathering intelligence - i.e. posing as someone else - is not, technically, a way to defame someone. It's done all the time as a tactic in the game. Although, I don't know if that's legal by game standards, I've never read a ruling that said otherwise.

I have seen a nation of "Tuesday Depths" who's motto makes her out to be an enemy of Tuesday Heights. I imagine that's fine since there's not intent to seem like it's the same nation.

Really, I asked this because I wanted to know if putting numbers after the name was legal. Rattus Norvegicus was taken, so I put a 7 after it.

Really, I asked this because I wanted to know if putting numbers after the name was legal. Rattus Norvegicus was taken, so I put a 7 after it.

Putting numbers after a name is completely legal.