[QUESTION] Using the NationStates name elsewhere

[Gurori]

Possibly the silliest thing to ever ask, I hope it isn't silly though.

So pretty much, I was thinking about making a Minecraft Server based off the concept of NationStates (owning a nation, only of course you'd actually be able to wage war because it's minecraft for pete's sake). Would I actually be allowed to use the NationStates name for it or would I have to use a different name?

I'm probably gonna get bullied for this.

[Vyestro]

Possibly the silliest thing to ever ask, I hope it isn't silly though.

So pretty much, I was thinking about making a Minecraft Server based off the concept of NationStates (owning a nation, only of course you'd actually be able to wage war because it's minecraft for pete's sake). Would I actually be allowed of using the NationStates name for it or would I have to use a different name?

I'm probably gonna get bullied for this.

Nationstates won't claim copyright to a name which is personal, so you can actually go ahead and do it.

[Enfaru]

Possibly the silliest thing to ever ask, I hope it isn't silly though.

So pretty much, I was thinking about making a Minecraft Server based off the concept of NationStates (owning a nation, only of course you'd actually be able to wage war because it's minecraft for pete's sake). Would I actually be allowed of using the NationStates name for it or would I have to use a different name?

I'm probably gonna get bullied for this.

Nationstates won't claim copyright to a name which is personal, so you can actually go ahead and do it.

Please do not give out incorrect information.

The "NationStates" name i.e NationStates or NationStates.net and other intellectual properties belong solely to Max Barry (possibly his publishers, dunno how that works). It is preferably to obtain consent although I do not believe the NationStates name has been trademarked either.

Names cannot me made "Copyright" ^(Source) however they can be protected under other legislation to prevent counterfeits and the misleading of the public and so on.

Logo's or things with design elements do have some protection under copyright and technically permission is required.

All things being said, obtaining permission to use the name for a game would be preferable. Max has chosen not to take action against the NationStates App and similarly named third party extensions so I can't see why permission would be rejected so long as money is not involved.

[Northwest Slobovia]

Nationstates won't claim copyright to a name which is personal, so you can actually go ahead and do it.

Please do not give out incorrect information.

The "NationStates" name i.e NationStates or NationStates.net and other intellectual properties belong solely to Max Barry (possibly his publishers, dunno how that works). It is preferably to obtain consent

Yup. One doesn't want lawyers showing up at the door with vaguely (or directly) threatening legal documents.

although I do not believe the NationStates name has been trademarked either.

Well, the ToS says that the site is governed by Aussie law. It looks like Australia, like the US, provides some rights to trade mark holders, even if the trade marks haven't been registered (under "Using another person's trade mark", at the bottom).

I'd say this is a question for Admin to refer to Max, his agent, and his attorney for an answer.

[Enfaru]

Copyright law is broadly international and UK law (which is the first one that came up when searching for Copyright law) is broadly similar to Aussie law in this respect. Notably even more similar due to sharing a broader legal structure known as the Commonwealth and similar matters. However I concur checking with Australian laws (State of Victoria) and possibly Vancouver Canada and California, USA (server and server provider jurisdictions unless that has changed).

The "some rights" is known as the Passing Off laws and is not part of the International law as each country has a different implementation.

[Ballotonia]

Common sense should already indicate that starting another online nation-based game called "NationStates" is bad form, confusing for players, attempting to utilize the NationStates trademark for personal benefit, and deeply unethical.

It should be no surprise it runs afoul of RL Laws as well.

Ballotonia

[Gurori]

Common sense should already indicate that starting another online nation-based game called "NationStates" is bad form, confusing for players, attempting to utilize the NationStates trademark for personal benefit, and deeply unethical.

It should be no surprise it runs afoul of RL Laws as well.

Ballotonia

I didn't actually mean making an actual game of the same concept as NationStates (I have no idea how to code).

But I see where you're getting at so I probably won't name it after this awesome place.