There are many users on this forum, and many users with nicknames.

Many users have many nicknames. Many nicknames are copyrighted.

No one knows which ones are copyrighted or not. Sometimes people call someone by a nickname that they think is their own only to discover some one else already came up with and copyrighted it. I have received threats of physical harm, copyright violation letters, and subtle warnings in complete ignorance of all and sundry copyright rules.

I hate copyright rules.

This then is the petition, for nicknames to be released into the public domain, before we all perish under their weight. If matters proceed as they are we shall soon be swamped, unable to move, for fear of violating one copyright or another. Not to mention that everyone has a different name for a user and no one knows who the other is talking about.

Sign below and add your name to the petition for freedom and liberty!

(This whole post is a giant joke, in case you're taking me too seriously...)

I'm copyrighting the nickname Open Source for you.

Ahh... I actually was taking you seriously, but since I can't tell the difference between joke and seriousness, I will sign my name here.

BushMaid

I highly object, being the one who first started the copyrighted nicknames.

I'm half joking, half serious. Nothing in the GD forum should be taken seriously.

I don't think copyrights are really needed; I think there are a fair amount of people who know who's special nicknames are who's. Everyone knows Airi likes to call me Aussie. Evening calls me Tumbleweed. Amanda Kondrael calls me BouncingBush.

Are copyrights necessary for our nicknames to remain special? I think everyone on HW can read between the lines.

I think if a nickname is catchy, it ought to be allowed to catch on. Especially if it's obvious, or more usable. Like I'd call Bush Aussie, but not BouncingBush.

Sometimes a nickname is special because of a certain person, like whoever calls Evening Wren. And Amanda has a nickname only one person is allowed to use. I understand that, because nobody calls me Kate. The only person I'll let call me that is my father. But I have many, many nicknames...

I think there are way too many nicknames and way too many copyrights

Oh, here's a badge for the protesters.

No one thought of calling BushMaid Aussie before I crafted it. I think variations of a name shouldn't be copyrighted. Creative personal ones should be respected.

While I know this is a joke, I also know it is based in reality, and I really don't want everyone using the names I specifically gave to certain members because of my affection for them.

I agree, Airi.

You and your hilarious graphics (and rebellions!), Jaynin!

What about a Fair Use Law?

While I, being the lady of many names, deeply understand the importance of "private" nicknames based on special affection, the fact of the matter is that you're using them on a public forum where there's no good way to keep track of what's what unless you use a (c) or (tm) symbol. How are newbies to know, for instance?

If a nickname is so obscure or based on a private joke, no one's going to pick up on it anyway. I'll never call Evening "Wren" because that doesn't make any sense to me. I have no idea where that came from. But Bush is an Aussie, literally.

Also, the way I think of it is this... if someone picks up on a special nickname, it's because they are familiar both with the person AND the friend that designed the nickname. So many people call me Leah (cough) because they know Melody, and that's all Melody ever calls me. Some of these people would never call me by my real name because they knew me as "Leah" long before they met me. That's special. I only picked up on "Aussie" because I know both Bush and Airianna. If I didn't listen to Airianna or read her posts, I'd never know. But because Airianna is always talking to me and calling Bush Aussie, I pick up on it. It's a signal of my friendship with both of them.

Okay, everyone can now croon "Awww, isn't that sweet!" I should now these things, though. I have over 5 base names, most of which have multiple varients. I am the Queen of Nicknames.

I have something like six nicknames, and I don't know who came up with which. Y'all are welcome to do whatever with them, though.

eruheran

I copyright the name Hilly!!! Now I'm the only one who can use it, and y'all can't call me it anymore!

Oh wait, Willow coined that one. Back to square 1.

Except there are a number of people with more nicknames than you, Philli

On this board or in real life? Still, I retain my claim to knowledge and experience in the area of nicknames.

On the forum.

Ah. I was talking about the number of nicknames in the wide world. I seem to gain a new nickname with every venture I join. Most of the "parts" of my life have a different name associated with them.

Same here

eruheran

I propose a Counter-Plan. (Look it up. )

Why don't we save this forum from the bitter depths ( ) of absolutely unprofessional behavior ( ) by using only people's proper usernames or legal names. Unless we act now, we will be doomed ( ) to unprofessional names and disorganized rebellions ( ) until the end of time. (Or the Ambar-Metta, which I prophesied that Jay would bring about. [ ])

I fear I have broken some kind of smiley limit. I hope not.

Yeah, I don't see that one happening, Jordan

That was awesome, though, Jordan, the way you phrased that.

And the computer won't let you break the smilie limit. It won't let you post if you have over 7, I think the number is.

Isn't it nine? Test... *deletes excess smileys.* Yup. 7.

It was nine for the birthday bash, that way everyone could try out the new smilies. Then we changed it to seven.

Oh...Say, what happened to old posts that exceeded the limit?

I believe they remained the same. They are already posted, thus the system doesn't block their excessive use, see?

Hmm...

We are on the worst rabbit trail ever.

Elly

Haha. I've un-copyrighted all of my nicknames. But I do ask that people don't use the ones that are really special to me, like "Katir" for KathrineROID, and "Hurricane" for Vanya.

I don't have any nicknames for anyone, so you can un-copyright all the ones I don't have! I just like confusing people.

So I can't accidentally break the law! Infinite comfort.

I need to create some nicknames for people...

You can start with me. I have so many one more can't hurt.
I am the ultimate example for the nickname rebellion, aren't I?

I think: No one is calling Vanya Hurricane anymore than they call me Mouse, with or without copyright. Copyright is just another fun thing to satisfy the thirst of the rebels on this forum without having them break real rules, just another thing to argue over without having a real argument, just another HW ploy.

That paragraph took a silly turn. Hitting submit now. . .

Did the petition leader just endorse what I thought was an anti-petition paragraph? O_o

I sort of doubt anyone else will be using my nicknames. P-Nut? Forly? Derived from Porsche Nut and Prince Forlendo Alistar. And Luke...that's just a normal name. Alistar, though...that's mine. ALL MINE. I made it up for my pen name.