Development Info Trinity name change contest

[Saint_Proverbius]

Tags: Forlorn World; Ground Zero

<A href="http://vdhp.nma-fallout.com/index_eng.php">Vault Dweller's Home Page</a>, not to be confused with our guy also named <b>Vault Dweller</b>, has updated with information about wanting to change the name of <A href="http://angrenost.org/~trinity/">Trinity</a> because apparently the gimps over at <A href="http://www.white-wolf.com/">White Wolf</a> have one of their pointless, cheesy PnP games named the same thing. Here's the letter:
<br>
<br>
<blockquote>Dear Sirs:
<br>
<br>
Ground Zero's use of the name "Trinity" for a roleplaying game is in
<br>
conflict with our trademark, and will create confusion in the
<br>
marketplace. We at White Wolf Publishing must insist upon a change in
<br>
title at once, and a change of the relevant parts your web site at
<br>
"<a href="http://angrenost.org/~trinity/">http://angrenost.org/~trinity/</a>".
<br>
<br>
The Trinity roleplaying game has been in print and advertised
<br>
internationally since 1998. If you need additional information, you
<br>
need only type "trinity rpg" into Google, or visit our web site at
<br>
"<a href="http://www.white-wolf.com/trinity.html">http://www.white-wolf.com/trinity.html</a>".
<br>
<br>
Please contact our office immediately if you need to discuss this
<br>
matter before making your changes.
<br>
<br>
Regards,
<br>
<br>
Andrew Bates
<br>
Managing Editor
<br>
Sword & Sorcery Studios
<br>
<a href="http://www.swordsorcery.com">http://www.swordsorcery.com</a>
<br>
White Wolf Publishing
<br>
<A href="http://www.white-wolf.com">http://www.white-wolf.com</a></blockquote>
<br>
<br>
Personally, I say <i>screw 'em</i>, but that's just because I don't like changing game names in our database of games that often.
<br>
<br>
Spotted at: <A HREF="http://www.duckandcover.net">Duck and Cover</A>

 

[Sol Invictus]

Fuck 'em dry.

I wouldn't change the name to the sake of pleasing a bunch of dumb geeks in white makeup and black t-shirts. I don't see them being able to sue for this and they certainly don't hold a copyright over the word "Trinity" or they'd be suing the Vatican, the Warner Brothers and just about everyone who's ever used the name.

 

[Whipporowill]

Wasn't there a tv series called Trinity a few yeas back? Some sort of Twin Peaks thingie...?

 

[EEVIAC]

That sucks. Trinity was the name of the site for the first atomic test, so it makes sense that a post-apoc game would share the same name. The only other apt title I can think of is White Sands (or White Sands Proving Grounds, although I think that was more for rocket tests - also the name of an Arcanum mod.) Or they could call it Upshot Knothole Annie, just because I like the name.

 

[chrisbeddoes]

a copyright over the word "Trinity" or they'd be suing the Vatican, the Warner Brothers and just about everyone who's ever used the name.

This is trademark issue unfortunately and not copyright.

They say that their trademark will be diluted not that their copyright will be infinged.

 

[Saint_Proverbius]

I don't think you can trademark a common English word. MicroSoft tried that with Windows, and they got denied. Trinity is also a damned common word, so I don't see how they'd stand a chance.

 

[Sol Invictus]

I don't know why these guys are giving into White Wolf's demands. Who the fuck gave White Wolf the right to boss other companies around? They can threaten all they want with their lawyers and their big words but it'd never hold up in court. They'd have to pay the lawyer fees for Ground Zero if they tried it, too.

Someone needs to get in touch with Ground Zero and lay down how the law works so they don't go ahead with changing the name. Trinity's a damn fine name and it's a legitimate name for a game based on a post-nuclear world. It's not just some name they pulled out of their ass.

 

[Spazmo]

White Wolf got all pissy with that Underworld movie, too, because White Wolf supposedly invented the idea of a secret war between werewolves and vampires.

Kaczor, give 'em hell.

 

[Psilon]

Wait until the lawyers arrive is my (completely unqualified) advice. If White Wolf weren't so predisposed towards "Colon: The Probing" titles, I'd consider bowing out, but there's very little similarity between dumbass far-future psionics and post-nuclear survivalism.

It's like attacking a game merely because Vampire is in the title.

 

[HanoverF]

You don't actually Trademark common words, you trademark their visual presentation,

this

looks nothing like
this

but the fact they are names for RPGs might be a problem, I'm not sure a judge would be hip to the distinction pnp rpg and crpg

Might try further distinguishing it by making the radiation symbol the T's, or dotting the i's with it (or that might make it look really bad )

11/6/97

TRINITY to Become New Title For White Wolf Science-Fiction RPG .

Two weeks after the launch of ÆON, the new science-fiction game, White Wolf has received notification that Viacom International Inc.'s MTV Networks division has filed a lawsuit against White Wolf in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The lawsuit alleges that White Wolf's use of "ÆON" is a violation of Viacom's rights to its mark "AEON FLUX" and constitutes trademark infringement.

According to Stephan Wieck, White Wolf president, "While we do not agree that White Wolf has infringed any rights of Viacom, we are currently in discussions with Viacom to resolve the matter. While we are engaged in these discussions, White Wolf has voluntarily elected to temporarily withhold further shipments of all ÆON products, and we are requesting that retailers and distributors temporarily pull the product from their shelves."

One result of an agreement between Viacom and White Wolf will be that White Wolf will re-title the ÆON game and product line to TRINITY. White Wolf anticipates sending out labels to retailers by November 13th that will feature the TRINITY logo. Retailers will be asked to cover the "ÆON" name on the cover of the Limited Edition ÆON rulebook with the labels. This alteration will apply to only the plastic-cover, Limited Edition copies of ÆON. Subsequent printings of the hardcover, unlimited edition will be printed

Due to this change, the ÆON Website has been taken down. The TRINITY website will be up on Nov. 8, 1997.

So they fucked with us, now we fuck with u!

A search of Trademark Electronic Search System doesn't even show a result for Trinity filled by white wolf (might be there, just couldn't find it), not sure about internationally tho...

And I'm not a lawyer... but I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night

 

[Raymondo]

If I'm not mistaken you trademark a company and copyright a name.

 

[Ausir]

Yeah, I'd screw the Vampire goth people if I were you, Kaczor.

 

[Sol Invictus]

You trademark a visual, or a name (e.g. Microsoft, White Wolf) but there's just some things you can't do, namely the trademarking of biblical references.

You copyright literature.

You patent inventions and ideas.

 

[Kaczor]

So what we should do? Screw them? I'll talk with Przemo (our boss) about it. We'll talk with lawyers, but we don't want any unpleasant surprises.

Personally, I want to keep Trinity name. It's good and I like it.

 

[Sol Invictus]

Yes! You should damn well hold on to the name. You can't let a bunch of goths push you around like that. What kind of message would that send to the world community?

 

[Elwro]

Screw them.

 

[deadlus]

^I concur.

 

[Human Shield]

Talk with lawyers and see if they have a case. If anything White-Wolf will come out looking like jerks (again), and your CRPG will get more attention.

 

[chrisbeddoes]

What about Nuclear Trinity ?
You do not give up your name completely you are making a good compromise ? or not ?

It also fits with the image .You will not have to change your image trademark.

 

[Ausir]

Nah, "Nuclear Trinity" sucks.

 

[chrisbeddoes]

Nah, "Nuclear Trinity" sucks.

Why exactly are they naming it trinity ?

 

[Sol Invictus]

Screw em. TRINITY ALL THE WAY

 

[Diogo Ribeiro]

You know, trinity is synonimous with troika...

Entry Word: trinity
Function: noun
Text: Synonyms TRIAD, threesome, trine, trio, triple, triumvirate, triune, troika

If it goes bad you can always call it Trine. Or Nuclear Threesome

 

[chrisbeddoes]

Screw em. TRINITY ALL THE WAY

And exactly who is going to pay them all the legal costs if the other party sues ?

 

[Ausir]

Why exactly are they naming it trinity ?

Trinity was the name of the site of the first nuclear bomb test.