Author Topic: Attn. Developers: Regarding the title 'Planeshift'  (Read 1859 times)

Moogie

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Attn. Developers: Regarding the title 'Planeshift'
« on: July 18, 2003, 03:48:36 am »
Hiya,

As a result of a Google images search of the word \'Planeshift\', I discovered something that could possibly mean this project\'s title has to change.

Apparently, there is a Magic the Gathering pack of the same name. I assume they have this trademark copyrighted.

Is anyone aware of this? Will this have an impact on the project, forcing us to change it\'s name? Or am I just worrying unneccessarily?

Thanks,
Moogie


[Edit: Apparently it\'s nothing to worry about. I don\'t believe that though :P]
« Last Edit: July 18, 2003, 03:59:31 am by Moogie »

Kiern

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« Reply #1 on: July 18, 2003, 05:05:01 am »
Yea, it\'s been talked about before...it\'s not a problem like it appears you were told, I think the reasons were because PS is free/open-source and something to do with dates...or maybe i\'m just an idiot and remembering something that didn\'t happen :)
« Last Edit: July 18, 2003, 05:05:31 am by Kiern »

Vengeance

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« Reply #2 on: July 18, 2003, 05:28:32 am »
Planeshift was used by this project several years before it was used in that card game by WOTC.  Thus we have prior use.  I expect that shortly after we sue them, the black helicopters will encircle their headquarters and inform them that All their Base are belong to us!

It isn\'t an issue.

- Venge

Ayshe

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« Reply #3 on: July 18, 2003, 05:43:49 am »
Quote
Originally posted by Vengeance
Planeshift was used by this project several years before it was used in that card game by WOTC.  Thus we have prior use.  I expect that shortly after we sue them, the black helicopters will encircle their headquarters and inform them that All their Base are belong to us!

It isn\'t an issue.

- Venge


The PS team has black helicopters at their disposal? Gotta get on the dev team... :)
« Last Edit: July 18, 2003, 05:47:54 am by Ayshe »
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Moogie

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« Reply #4 on: July 18, 2003, 05:46:17 am »
For great justice! :)

Thanks for that, Venge. You\'re the only one I can trust... *eyes the surroundings nervously*

Bigfoot

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« Reply #5 on: July 18, 2003, 08:53:02 am »
Would just like to point out that prior use of a title doesnt mean you own it, since you can only own a title if you fork out the money to have the name registered. So im affraid WOTC **would** own the title planeshift, there products name might be actualy more than just Planeshift but often companies will register the individual words of there products as well ie, \"Magic\", \"Magic the gathering\", \"Planeshift\" and \"Magic the Gathering: Planeshift\".

You also have to be carefull since some owners of copyrights are fanatical in there protection, point in case would be Anne McCarthy and the Pern books, heck i could get into trouble even mentioning those words on the net. They are so tight with there copyright they will and have filed law suits against those that even write fan stories or do \"Pern\" style dragons in there artwork. Although this behavioure seems thankfully rare. But being free and open source means nothing if those sueing you have the best lawyers and a ton of cash to back them up.

Be carefull

ps:- a piece of software i use had to have its name changed only a few months ago since a company bought the copyright to the name and ordered the software maker who is just a guy makeing the programme for fun and a little profit, to change the name or else... and hes had the name in use for 5 years now, sept he didnt have it registered as a copyright.

If you realy want to avoid trouble you should register/copyright the trademark, although Im unsure of the price to do so. Its not THAT expensive, but worth it in the end.

sashok

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« Reply #6 on: July 18, 2003, 09:43:25 am »
why couldnt the game be called \"planetshift\"?
isn\'t that 10 times better than planeshift.
i mean, whatahell is plane shift?

p.s. when i searched for planeshift on google, i also got magic bull****, and i thought that this game is the result of that magic crap.

whata relief to read this thread
« Last Edit: July 18, 2003, 09:45:02 am by sashok »

lostprophet

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« Reply #7 on: July 18, 2003, 09:57:12 am »
Planetshift? There are no planets in the game, this is not Star Wars! Planeshift comes from the different \"planes\" in the game, which there are eight of, and you can travel, or even \"shift\" between them.

Simple!

P.S. I mean planes like a large flat open space, not the ones that you get deep vein thrombosis on, foolio.


zaphar

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« Reply #8 on: July 18, 2003, 05:23:29 pm »
It wouldn\'t be the first time an Open Source project ran across IP laws. Its a shame really because some guy in Magic probably stole the name from you guys. I would definitely see about getting it trademarked or something.
*Zaphar grins roguishly as he exits the post


en3r0

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« Reply #9 on: July 18, 2003, 07:36:38 pm »
how would you go about copyrighting a name?

Kiern

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« Reply #10 on: July 18, 2003, 07:43:19 pm »
I don\'t know, I really don\'t see it as a problem...they haven\'t done anything about the names yet, so why would they do it now?  And if they do then PS can just change it\'s name, it\'s not like everyone is going to leave just because it is called something else...

CadRipper

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« Reply #11 on: July 18, 2003, 07:52:03 pm »
Not so sure Kiern, unfortunately.

Anyone knows this wonderful tool that was named Windows Commander ? After several years, they had to change it because Microsoft noticed them, and the word \"Windows\" was in it.

Now it\'s called \"Total Commander\".

Moogie

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« Reply #12 on: July 18, 2003, 07:52:41 pm »
I don\'t think it would be as simple as that. I can see alot of problems developing if PlaneShift had to change it\'s name, as simple as getting everyone on the Internet who have ever mentioned it to recognise the change and adjust aswell (I\'m talking about things such as fan/guild sites, reviews, etc).

[Edited to add: They\'d also need to buy a new website domain.]
« Last Edit: July 18, 2003, 07:56:10 pm by Moogie »

Vengeance

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« Reply #13 on: July 19, 2003, 12:02:21 am »
Sorry Bigfoot.  Prior use always takes precedence over registration.

Windows isn\'t a valid trademark either.  There was a major lawsuit just resolved recently over the clone product called \"Lindows\" and the court ruled against Microsoft saying they shouldn\'t have used a standard english word if they wanted to protect it.

- Venge

Iamthom

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« Reply #14 on: July 19, 2003, 01:58:35 am »
yay ..... all is peaceful again! Hail Vengeance for his wise and great knowledge! lol =D
- Milden/Mildew (whichever you knew me by)