the name game: call for suggestions, and one volunteer

[astolat]

So, while still hashing out some details, it looks pretty clear that we will want to incorporate in the US as a nonprofit. As it happens, one of the first steps in this process is coming up with a name! Which also has the benefit of being entertaining. :D

This doesn't have to necessarily be the name we use on a day-to-day basis, more the official name, although it would be ideal to have something that works both ways.

Rules:

• The full name shouldn't already be in use -- the lawyers will do a formal search, but for now, just do a google to see if someone else is obviously using it.
  
  
• We will want something ideally that we can also get some variant or subset of as a domain name. You can search for domain-availability at a bunch of places; here is the network solutions search.
  
  
• Should be "distinctive" -- ie, weird enough that it can be a trademark. Xerox == yes, pets.com == no.
  
  
• One clever scheme (used a lot by right-wing orgs :>) is to choose a name that includes your main argument in the name. IE, if we did something with "Fair Use" in it, any time someone mentions the organization, they're basically repeating the key phrase you want people to associate with you.
  
  
• Avoid the word "Foundation", as that generally means a specific kind of charity that we will not be.
  
  
• Can go the descriptive route (Fanfic Conservancy, Fair Use Institute, Archive Of Our Own Co.) or with made up words (AD;KJFA Inc. *g*) or just sort of evocative/cool-sounding words (Keymashing Ltd.).

If you're suggesting a name or names, please put your name suggestion (or your favorite of them) in the subject line of your comment, especially if you're replying to/spinning off from someone else's suggestions.

Please post your suggestions here by Monday, May 28! We will then have a poll to narrow down the list of possibilities we consider with the lawyers.

JOB:
1. NOTES. Short term. Deadline: Tuesday May 29: collect name suggestions for a poll. - ainsley
If someone would be willing to volunteer to collect up all the name suggestions and turn them into a tickybox poll, that would be great! (Note: this requires your having a paid/permanent account.)

Comments

Re: Organization for Transformative Fiction

[umbo.livejournal.com]

I like Organization for Transformative Fiction as a name for the overall non-profit, with An Archive of Our Own as the title of the archive itself, which would be hosted on transformativefiction.org.

Re: Organization for Transformative Fiction

[octette]

I think it would be a pretty bad idea to have the name of the archive and the name of the organization be the same thing, b/c that would not allow the organization to grow into anything. Not that it necessarily would, but just in case--

Yes, I totally agree.

Re: Organization for Transformative Fiction

[octette]

Yes, exactly, absolutely.
Although looking below at later comments, there seem to be a few people who don't group fancraft under "fiction"; or, rather, use "fiction" to indicate words, rather than anything that is fiction.

So maybe Transformative Work/Craft/Art would work better??

Re: Organization for Transformative Works

[cupidsbow.livejournal.com]

Excellent suggestion, but I think you're right that it needs to be modified to include non-written fan arts and meta (non-fiction). Especially if it really is to be an inclusive fan archive.

So I'd lean towards Organization for Transformative Works.

Re: Organization for Transformative Works

[loligo.livejournal.com]

Geekiest reason for loving this suggestion (either the Fiction or Works variation): it reminds me a lot of Oulipo (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oulipo) (Ouvroir de litterature potentielle), and they are very cool.

Re: Organization for Transformative Fiction

[ainsley.livejournal.com]

Completely agreeing here.

Re: Organization for Transformative Fiction

[trobadora]

I like this best so far.

Re: Organization for Transformative Fiction

[fairestcat]

agreed on all counts. I really like the Organization for Transformative Fiction. That gets the argument against copyright violation right in there too.

[caretta.livejournal.com]

I agree with this. The abbreviation could be OFTA for Organization for Transformative Fiction Archive, because we all like our abbreviations. This is the best suggest, I think.