List of restricted names that should not be restricted at all

Community General Discussion
22

I might be wrong but I think that the LotR names are technically under copyright and whilst the Tolkien estate may not pursue the common person for using them they may take action against a large games company allowing their use.

I know that they, the TE, have in the past sued people/companies for using names and places from the legendarium without permission.

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23

You may get Aragorn, Sauron etc
 though.

24

I don’t know about elves, but there are two major Anduins in the setting. I’m sure that Varian would not have been the only parent inspired by the actions of Lothar. And if we can have two Anduins, we can have two or more of everyone else.

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25

It is just ridiculous. You can get the name Aragorn but Legolas is restricted. Or you can get the name Anduin but not Arthas.

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26

Some of those names being restricted makes no sense, there would be people named after/in honor of Prince Arthas (before he did what he did) same with some of the others. Blizzard is weird that way.

I do shrug at roleplaying canon characters, I really don’t get it. But to each their own.

I’m fine with Legolas being restricted though :grin:

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27

KerryKing is being forbidden. Come on, he’s not as controversial as other musicians.

28

Did you not already do a thread about this?

Why make another one?

29

To make them notice.

30

His solos are the definition of idiotic.

31

Rude! :angry:

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33

I’m not fine with any of these names being restricted.

34

Ha, there’s no Elril or Kaladin in there!

Elril being a character from my personal fantasy project and Kaladin (Stormblessed) is my favorite character from the Stormlight Archive series.

I don’t care about Lord of the Rings name.

35

LotR names restricted because of (I assume) copyright reasons but we have the name ‘Anduin’ which is itself from LotR (OK, it’s not a character as such, it’s a river)

36

Restricted because of copyright reasons? Spilled my coffee laughing at this, sorry.

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37

All the character names at the very least (and most of the place names) are copyrighted and can’t be used without permission.

“The Lord of the Rings, and the names of the characters, events, items and places therein are trademarks or registered trademarks of The Saul Zaentz Company.”

That’s a quote from the LotRO site, please feel free to spill more coffee or whatever beverage you’re currently imbibing.

Blizzard would appear to be breaking this copyright by using the name Anduin for one of their NPC’s.

38

Blizzard are not, because you can’t copyright just character names. Blizzard would have to copy a character wholesale (using their personality, appearance, backstory, etc.) before they would infringe the rights of whomever holds the copyright. So Blizzard could, legally from a copyright perspective, include someone named,‘Gandalf’ in WOW. But if their version was dressed in grey, smoked a pipe and started telling people that they,“SHALL NOT PASS!” then they would be infringing.

However, since the Saul Zaentz Company holds a registered trade mark for ‘Gandalf’ in what appears to be a gaming category, Blizzard would need a license to use the name legally in their games. And if Blizzard did use it without a license (or allow their users to use it) Saul Zaentz are obliged to sue, otherwise they could lose the trade mark (which probably explains why some names are blacklisted).

In the case of Anduin, there is no infringement because:

  • You can’t copyright just character names
  • The characters in both properties are substantially different (one being a river and the others being people)

There is also no trade mark registered for ‘Anduin’ (although I did find one for Aragorn beauty products).

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39

This is big true.

40

Speaking as the Life-Binder I somewhat feel your frustration


Anyway. Blows kiss to her favourite DK

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41

Thank you :slight_smile:

42

Ere! Are you lookin’ at me bird?!!

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