TMAC name change

[hobogato]

The MAAST BOD has voted to change the name of our annual convention. It has come to the attention of the BOD that either the name "Texas Marine Aquarists Conference" and/or "TMAC" may have been reserved or registered to a former Board Member, rather than to MAAST.

As this is going to be only the second year of this convention, and there is no real MAAST investment in the name, the BOD felt that it would be more expeditious to come up with a new name, rather than contest possible ownership of the former names or consider paying for the use of the names.

The Board would like to solicit potential names for this event. However, understanding that the BOD wishes to be able to register the new name without outside interference, we are asking everyone to please send your suggestions via PM to the MAAST Secretary, "Allan". The BOD will then choose a name from those suggested. While we would prefer to put the name to a Charter Member vote, we feel that we can not expose potential names prior to registration. Please note that the name or names will become the property of MAAST, and that there can be no compensation to the person or persons that come up with the name (s).

Note: if a suggestion is posted publicly, it will not be considered.

We would also like to extend a thanks to Charter Member wesheltonj for his legal assistance in this matter.

[Gseclipse02]

is there no way of getting full rights to tmac ???

sucks that we would have to change it ....

[hobogato]

not if it has already been register by someone else. it is what it is - we will move forward.


is there no way of getting full rights to tmac ???

sucks that we would have to change it ....

[Europhyllia]

fun times. I bet the new name will be even better. any guidelines?

[kkiel02]

I sent in some to allan, some were rather funny but I think some would work pretty well. I cant wait to see what it ends up being.

[hobogato]

karin, no real guidelines, we (board members) will have to research any potential names for trademark conflict, so the more choices the better.

thanks kevin, hopefully lots of other people will do the same :)

[Still Learning]

What's the timeline? No compensation, but what about recognition?

[Europhyllia]

would be cool if we would something that comes up with the initials BROKE

[drunkenclam]

Shame that "bird" won't fly off with dignity. Let's hope there is no problem with the annual collection trip having a name that promotes the club and not that of a "yellow bird." Let's get the MAAST name out there, not that of a egotistic "bird."

[drunkenclam]

Ohhhh, I haven't read into all the by-laws and such. But I bet any good council would show that any BOD member that came up with any "title" to represent the club would there for belong to the club...and not an individual.
Course that would be a catch 22 with the annual sesame street collection trip!

[drunkenclam]

:sarcastic:

[allan]

Keep them coming folks, got some really good suggestions already.

The more eyes and grey matter on this gives us a better product. I've gotten a lot of good suggestions and don't worry about any of them being less than desirable, it will be between you and me. :) I think we have about fifteen suggestions in already.

[hobogato]

lets keep this thread on track folks - it is about new names for tmac. period.

[wesheltonj]

The ownership rights of IP can be very difficult. If someone is interested in funding such a project please let me know. IMO MAAST does not have enough money in the bank to cover it.

[Europhyllia]

The old name isn't that great and original. I am sure we can get something just as good or better. No point in dwelling on it...

[cbianco]

Ohhhh, I haven't read into all the by-laws and such. But I bet any good council would show that any BOD member that came up with any "title" to represent the club would there for belong to the club...and not an individual.
Course that would be a catch 22 with the annual sesame street collection trip!

It's not everyday that I agree with you Mr. Clam. I would assume that any ideas/names/doings/etc... would be the property of MAAST if that individual came up with it while in office.

But...


The ownership rights of IP can be very difficult. If someone is interested in funding such a project please let me know. IMO MAAST does not have enough money in the bank to cover it.

I would also have to agree with wesheltonj. The battle would be long and expensive. We would be broke as a club and going on TMAK #5 before we saw any results.

This is a sad day in MAAST history.

:(

Christopher

[hobogato]

not a sad day, gives us a chance to make it even better :wink_smile:

[corruption]

I understand the desire to hold on -- but at the same time, I have to agree with Karin... We have an opportunity to come up with something really catchy, that really gives an idea of what to expect... just my $0.02 :)

-Justin

[corruption]

not a sad day, gives us a chance to make it even better :wink_smile:

Too fast! :D

[hobogato]

ha! beat ya to it justin :D

[corruption]

To emphasize my point, I think this thread is a great example... Anything that can be done to move the club past the archaic practices of derision and division, will benefit all in the long run... no matter what side of an issue you may fall on. Its in all of our best interests to nip such potential hostilities to the membership in the bud, as this just lets us all be stronger without the fractionation.

-Justin

[hobogato]

very well said justin!

[cbianco]

I don't have a problem with changing the name of our annual conference but I just wish it were on our own terms. We are being forced into this move, we did not choose to do this.

Will the general public be able to vote on the names at all? Of will it just be the BOD?

I do understand that you want the submissions to be private to keep anyone else from stealing MAAST property but I think it would be great if the charter members could vote on the new name.

Christopher

[hobogato]

no, it will have to be a private BOD vote to prevent exactly what you mention christopher.

[corruption]

Ace, can preliminary steps towards registration be taken with little/no cost? Perhaps the BOD could select (and prepare) a list from the options provided by the membership, then provide a vote to the body?

-Justin

[wesheltonj]

Ace, can preliminary steps towards registration be taken with little/no cost? Perhaps the BOD could select (and prepare) a list from the options provided by the membership, then provide a vote to the body?

-Justin

Little or no cost, the answer is No. (that's relative)

Of course, the simplest solution would be: for whatever former board member(s) claims to the IP assign them to MAAST.

[Europhyllia]

When you wake up in the morning you can choose to be happy or he can choose to be mad/sad/whatever. Choose to be happy. Don't give other people the power to control how you are feeling.
Make this an opportunity to get something even better.
Seriously:
Texas Marine Aquarist Conference -booooooooooooring! So generic. Might as well call it "boring fish people meeting to talk about boring fish stuff"

We'll come up with something snazzy and we will love it from this day forward (or whenever the powers that be decide on what it's going to be)

[Pennies2Cents]

When you wake up in the morning you can choose to be happy or he can choose to be mad/sad/whatever. Choose to be happy. Don't give other people the power to control how you are feeling.
Make this an opportunity to get something even better.

We'll come up with something snazzy and we will love it from this day forward (or whenever the powers that be decide on what it's going to be)

Well said Karin. :) I like your thoughts!

[HoppyBunny]

I am actually really excited about the new name and the fact that we all have the opportunity to give our input. I appreciate that the board is allowing us all to be a part of the process.

Any time frame...when can we expect to hear what the new name is?

[hobogato]

we need to get it done very soon as we already have some confirmed vendors.

i looked at the list that has already been submitted - some really good suggestions! if you can think of any, please dont be bashful :)

[corruption]

Will the list of all the submissions be revealed AFTER the selection is made? I'd love to see all the suggestions :)

-Justin

[txav8r]

I'm sure we can do that after the name we choose has been registered.

Good suggestion, by the way!

[Bill S]

Yeah, it kind of stinks that we feel like we can't put this to a Charter vote. We debated it pretty heavily, and the conclusion was that we really only wanted to do this once.

[allan]

Hey folks, got thirty-six submissions already. Some really good suggestions, don't be shy and send me some more! :)

[Europhyllia]

So... did you guys register anything yet?

[CoryDude]

Wow, of the current 829 views on this thread, this is my first time seeing this. The politics of Maast irritate me sometimes.

I wonder if Children's Television Workshop now known as Sesameworkshop would have a problem with some else's screen name or the name of a particular collection trip each year.

This is what I mean when I say I like the new direction this club is charting. Can't wait to see what the new name is.

[hobogato]

if you have any last minute suggestions, please send them today so we can start looking at the list and make a decision.


...I wonder if Children's Television Workshop now known as Sesameworkshop would have a problem with... the name of a particular collection trip each year...

this will no longer be an issue.

[CoryDude]

Sorry Ace, I shouldn't have let my emotions speak. Apologies to everyone. :redface:

[BigKGlen]

Any News?

[hobogato]

we have a list of name choices and once we are able to register one, we will let everyone know what the name will be.

[wesheltonj]

If you look, the name is now posted in another post.

The names Lone Star Marine Aquarist Rally and L*MAR have been filed with the Texas Secretary of State Office as assumed names. They have also been filed with the Bexar County Clerk's Office as assumed names. They have also been filed with the Secretary of State Office as a Texas trademarks. Only MAAST will be able to use these names in Texas. They are the property of MAAST.