[Embolalia]

Mahaj, from The South and the Eastern Islands of Dharma, alerted me over IRC today to a newly-founded region called "International Democrat Union". He suggested putting in a GHR, but I'd prefer to resolve this "diplomatically" first, if possible. I sent this telegram to the founder:

Quote: Hi there,
Your new region was brought to my attention today, and I have to say I'm a little concerned. You see, I'm the foreign minister of a region called the [region]International Democratic Union[/region]. We're a very long-standing region dedicated to democracy. It isn't unheard of (and is against the rules) for a malevolent player to attempt to either tarnish or exploit the reputation of another region by founding a very similarly named region. I'm not accusing you of that, and I'm the kind of person who tends not to assume bad things of others unless I'm given a reason to. (Although, a name just two letters off from our region, from a player who already has a foundership in another region does raise a bit of a red flag. I'm especially concerned with your "GA Ambassador to IDU" nation.)

I'm going to send a TG to our delegate, and see what he wants to do. I'd like to attempt to find a resolution with you before filing a request with moderation. One solution could be to choose a different enough name. "Global Democrat Alliance" would be perfect, I think. Even "International Democrat Alliance". But having a GA-involved region that is just two letters different from, and with the same abbreviation as, a long-standing and heavily UN- and WA-involved region is a little too close for comfort, I think.

[nation]Embolalia[/nation],
Foreign Minister of the [region]International Democratic Union[/region][/quote]

Personally, I think that if the name isn't changed, a GHR should be filed.

[Bears Armed]

Agreed in principle, although as that founder is a pretty new nation I suppose the situation could be an 'honest mistake' of some kind. Diplomacy first, anyhows...


:Bear:

[Embolalia]

That it was. Nation in question replied:Quote: i am terribly sorry for this. i was just trying to expand a more broad poltical outlook for ns. how do you request to resolve this un-intended name take? again i am very sorry for this incovince[/quote]

I replied:
Quote: The easiest way, I think, would be to simply allow the region and the "GA Ambassador to IDU" nation to die. If you move your nations out of this region, it will disappear. And if you don't log in to your "GA Ambassador to IDU" nation for about a month, it, too, will disappear. Obviously you're still free to found another region, just make sure it's not too close to another region's name. (NS's region search isn't very good, but if you start a Google search with site:nationstates.net it will find nations and regions with similar names to what you search.)

Thanks for taking this so well,
[nation]Embolalia[/nation]
Foreign Minister for the [region]International Democratic Union[/region][/quote]

[Bears Armed]

I've forgotten, what was that nation called? It might be interesting to keep an eye on them and see what happens...

:Bear:

[Embolalia]

Liberal Wiendonia. Apparently the region is now called "International Liberal Democrat Union". The GA ambassador nation is still there. I'm not sure whether I care enough to whine about it or not.

[boricuastan]

Not wanting to be a jerk here, but I think it's terribly unfair to harass a newb just because he's chosen a similar name for his region. You do not own the rights to the name "International Democratic Union," no matter how protective of the name you seek to be. Unless this guy is actually falsely claiming to represent you or to be affiliated with you, or is using your flag, logo, or similar WFE scheme, you really don't have anything to complain about. Unless he's doing it as part of another illegal action, like trolling. "Malicious intent" should be demonstrated in your complaint; otherwise the mods can't help you.

[Bears Armed]

KennyAug 20 2011, 09:20:52 PMNot wanting to be a jerk here, but I think it's terribly unfair to harass a newb just because he's chosen a similar name for his region. You do not own the rights to the name "International Democratic Union," no matter how protective of the name you seek to be. Unless this guy is actually falsely claiming to represent you or to be affiliated with you, or is using your flag, logo, or similar WFE scheme, you really don't have anything to complain about. Unless he's doing it as part of another illegal action, like trolling. "Malicious intent" should be demonstrated in your complaint; otherwise the mods can't help you.[/quote]I certainly agree we shouldn't harass him, but considering the extreme similarity between the original name they chose and ours I think that a polite request for change -- You were polite, hrright, Embo? -- wasn't too much. Now that he's changed it I don't have any objection to the new name, which seems different enough to avoid too much confusion.


Kenny: Bearing in mind that I'm still keeping a puppet in 10000 Island, do you really think that I'd favour a strong-arm policy in a situation like this?


:Bear: