B!TC# IT OUT!

[NerineArcticMermaid]

Venting. ...


Not so much pissed off as severely annoyed at the new mers that have names very similar to mine. Or been Nerine since. 2010. I scoured the net to be sure no other mers had anything similar. I wanted to be unique and now I feel like I need to change myname since I have found 4 mers with similar names. Grumble grrrr..

End rant

[MerMarla]

@ Nerinethemermaid

Hi! Nerine,

I so feel your pain. Altho, having a similar name isn't quite the same as having an identical name. My Mer-identity, (now being used without my permission) has been tied to my name for 44 years. Talk about confusing the Mer public and other performers and artists. One of my Mer-sisters from Weeki Wachee Springs, FL, contacted me about the situation.

I have been Mermaid Marla since 1969, and there is another Mer here, that didn't do her homework, either... I OWN the copyright to my MerName, and yet there are those who infringe. Probably not maliciously, but maybe intentionally, thinking they wouldn't get caught. And, therefore, I am also denied my "rightful name" on this site, too. I agree about venting, and I guess I am venting, too!

I've brought this subject up with MerNetwork site owners, and not a thing was done, except to say "Ahh, we understand, but First Come First Served" and "We can change your name to what every you like, just not your [rightful <-my inserted word] real name... This isn't always the nicest or correct political stance to take for the site owners. They also know about my copyright... they don't seem to care, either, that they allowed the infringement and could be cited (if I were nasty) and including them in a law suit. I am not a nasty person, or a nasty Mermaid. (Just ticked off like you are! ) Enuf strife is going on, world wide, and occasionally in here, so no more is needed.

I also understand this other Mer has established a business around her name. Rightfully infringing on my copyright. So what do I do? I don't wish to start a political or financially draining legal war, (my nephew's fiancee just passed the Mass Bar. So now I have free legal advice, too). I just wanted rightful ownership of my name. (I also have proof -- I swam for Weeki Wachee, under ABC Paramount ownership, they relinquished our names when they sold the franchise, and I did have a SAG (Stage Actors Guild) card, too.) You do NOT have to file a formal copyright with the US Copyright Office. All you need is documented proof. (I own two copyrights, working on a third, so I know the rules).

So do I just let her infringe on my name? Do I take her to court? Do I request a percent of her business? I'm not asking for answers, just something to think about. At this point I have no intention of taking her to court (or the site owners). All I wanted is my rightful Mer name. Here and everywhere. I shouldn't need to document my signature with "Weeki Wachee Springs, 1969-1972" every time I sign my Mermaid Marla name. Yet I do, now to differentiate myself from the other Mermaid Marla. It is SHE who should have a different signature.

LOL... see... I can get on a soap box, too! Happy venting!

(((Mer-Hugs))) and a bubble :heart: <3

Mermaid Marla (the original one LOL!)

[Kanti]

Aww that always sucks when people have similar names to you, but I honestly think its bound to happen sometimes, especially when people dont always go around looking to make sure their name doesn't look like anyone else's. But I mean, maybe it was a nickname and they wanted to keep it?

Marla, it's funny you put it that way. I never thought of mermaid names as such a big deal but now that I sort of ponder on what you said I think if you're planning on being a well-known or professional mer, your name is basically like a business name, you can't have people copying you.
Not to mention it sounds an awful lot like how celebrities do things. If their names are too similar the newer celeb usually has to adopt a nickname so that there are never two people with the same name xD I actually saw it on an E! documentary and thinking it was very interesting.

[MerMarla]

Hi Kanti!

Well, I should be honored that she is using my name! LOL, but true about established celebs, newbies usually do adopt a nickname to avoid confusion. It still feels awkward having grown up with Marla, (born in 1952) I knew NO ONE with my name. Now there are so many! Its bound to happen. My sister is a Debbie... she grew up with 8 other Debbie's in her class. She never knew which Debbie the teacher was addressing. I got used to being the only person with my name until Marla Trump, and a few others popped up about the same time.

At this point, I doubt I will be doing any more "professional gigs", altho attending my WWS reunions are always fun! I've swam in so many tails, and made so many, (around fins cut to fit our tails, not monofins... gotta try one some day!) that, I think my latest might be my last. Altho I never say never! I really enjoy this site and all the enthusium! I really wasn't trying to stir up another fray-of-words, just my frustration!

Hugs,
Mermaid Marla (the original one, LOL)

[sunrise]

I've got a something I want to get off my chest. I know it's biology and all, but I just don't see the point in this. In our biology class a few weeks from now, we're going to dissect rats, and I'm pretty upset about it. It's not that I'm grossed out, I mean, I am, but that's not why I'm upset. I don't like the idea that animals lose their lives so that students can learn about their body systems. I didn't see the point when we had to dissect frogs two years back, and I don't see it now. I just don't think it's right. Maybe if it was for research at a higher level, where the whole thing would have a point in the end, maybe then I wouldn't feel as bad. But honestly, I probably wouldn't feel any different. I don't agree with animal testing of any kind, and I especially don't agree with killing a whole bunch of creatures so that students can cut them open, look at them, fill out worksheets, and then discard them. It all seems wasteful and unnecessary to me when I've seen online alternatives that we could easily use, since we have computers available. Yeah, I'm probably really close to the type of person who'd try and free the frogs, like in all those silly cartoons, but I don't care If I am. I've had many types of animals, many frogs and toads, and I've known three rats (unfortunately none were mine) and so I'm very upset about it all. In a few weeks, I'm going to have to cut open a rat, so that I can pass this class, and whether I like it or not, I'm going to think back to Charlie, Blitz, and Belle, and even the little cream hooded rat who stared into my eyes at Petsmart, and I'm probably going to cry. Rats may not be for everyone, but to me, it'll be like cutting open a dog or cat, and that's all I have to say.

[Kanti]

Bleh I agree sunrise.
It completely sucks, especially now that we have computer programs that can simulate it fairly well. When I was in 8th grade we were supposed to dissect a frog and we ended up just using a program instead, which was cleaner, saved money, saved animal lives, and showed us everything a LOT more clearly than when you do it in person.
I'm not sure why people still insist on getting the real animal much anymore, it just seems like a complete waste of money for the school.

I also do find it extremely annoying when people don't care about the animal just because it's something they don't like. In college we did actual frogs and half the girls were like EW FROGS ARE SO GROSS IM SO HAPPY WERE KILLING THEM but when we had a pig they were all AWWW POOR THINGGG WHY DO THEY KILL IT. It's like, geeze people they're both ANIMALS with a will to live. People are so stupid sometimes

[SeaGlass Siren]

I agree... they do just get thrown out most of the time anyway so it would be best to learn through online.

however! for a student who wants to become a coroner, it will be beneficial to get their hands dirty with a dead animal first before dealing with a dead human...

also to see if they're able to handle being a nurse or a surgeon...

[Mer_Adella]

When I was in anatomy/physiology we disected a worm, fish, starfish, frog, and a cat. All in person. They had been dead a while. The cat I got first had tire tracks on it. so it was an accident the animal died and it was donated for kids to disect. I didn't feel bad at all. I go hunting and eat the meat. I guess I dont see it as such a horrible thing to dissect animals for education

[Ayla of Duluth]

the animals we get at our schools are just frogs and cats. I'm not sure where we get the frogs, but the cats come from animal shelters after they're put down.

[sunrise]

I'm glad that some of the animals' deaths weren't just for the sake of being dissected, as I'm mostly opposed to animals being killed for dissections and or as a result of testing. I don't mind if an animal is killed for a purpose other than that- I have no problems with hunting unless it's just for sport, and I do eat meat. I don't like leather, but if I'm going to eat a cow, then someone else should be able to use its skin, as far as I'm concerned. As for future coroners, I can see how that would be beneficial, but I still don't see the necessity for dissections in general middle and high school classes. Maybe it could be offered in certain electives, or put into the curriculum in college classes for people going into these types of careers- coroners, surgeons and the like.

[Kanti]

Hmm come to think of it, is there a market for dissecting animals? And I mean that as in "dissecting" as an adjective.
I always thought that the people who sold the animals all in large buckets that come from classroom supply were usually all killed for that purpose? I didn't know you could get animals that died from natural causes. I actually would prefer that in the sense that maybe you could see how your animal died xD

[Mermaid Momo]

Actually, nowadays most if the animals you get for dissections aren't killed for that purpose. Some die naturally in the pet store, some in someone's home (pet rats), I don't think any actual rats and starfish or frogs are killed for dissections anymore because of protesting animal rights activists. Also, I'm going to be dissecting a cat soon in my AP anatomy class and I can't wait! I've always looked forward to dissecting things haha.

[Kanti]

Really? That's good then
I always thought they were farmed and killed altogether, so it's refreshing to think that they'd use animals that were intended for something else and perhaps at least got some use before they died. If you're not going to use the body for anything may as well donate it to science xD especially for things we aren't going to eat. Still don't mind computer dissection though, I think it's a bit better.
I didn't mind dissecting but I also never looked forward to it, either. I mean it was a nice break from work but it always makes your hands smell super gross after and I'd always seem to keep the smell for weeks! But I'm not one of the prissy girls who was all "EWWW I CANT TOUCH A FROG HOW GROOOSSSSS" those were always annoying -__-

[Mermaid Stark]

This is gonna be more of a sad rant.
My brother just spilled ice tea all over my mom's macbook pro. He's really upset about it and so is my mom. She just stormed out crying. I've never seen her cry like that before. I'm really heartbroken! She had started 5 books on there (not to mention all her other data!) and now she thinks they're gone forever.
I asked if this could be fixed on Yahoo answers, so hopefully it'll all work out in the end. It's an old computer, I think 4+ years, so not sure if taking it to the Mac store will do any good. I talked to my brother and he showed me where he spilled it. Luckily, he spilled it AWAY from the hard drive, so it could be retrievable.
I think one of the worst parts about this is that my mom is on her period, so it makes her feel twice the pain.

[Kanti]

OHH well there's your problem.
ITS A MAC

Haha nah I'm just kidding. But aww that's sad ): your poor mom. Hopefully the mac store can fix it up and get the information someplace safe. Your mom should use dropbox. It's a website where you can store files online. That way she won't have a problem with data if her computer messes up.

[SeaGlass Siren]

isn't biology an elective? i know where i am its optional to take grade 11and12 biology (those classes u have to dissect)
in grade nine it's not an option and you have to take science just to qualify for grade 10science... but if i recall we only dissected flowers.

[Mermaid Stark]

Kanti, but the problem is that we live in Geneva, Switzerland. It's one of the most expensive places! It'll probably cost more than the computer itself to get it repaired! I don't think that it would be such a big issue if it would cost less to get it repaired. :P

[Elle]

I also do find it extremely annoying when people don't care about the animal just because it's something they don't like. In college we did actual frogs and half the girls were like EW FROGS ARE SO GROSS IM SO HAPPY WERE KILLING THEM but when we had a pig they were all AWWW POOR THINGGG WHY DO THEY KILL IT. It's like, geeze people they're both ANIMALS with a will to live. People are so stupid sometimes

I've never worked on animals, only people parts. They should be glad they aren't doing that. Most of the girls in my course faint, so the Bio classes are always well stocked in smelling salts.
My school had it, but they only ever had rats....I've never heard of anywhere having pigs.....

[Mermaid Stark]

Really? That's good then
I always thought they were farmed and killed altogether, so it's refreshing to think that they'd use animals that were intended for something else and perhaps at least got some use before they died. If you're not going to use the body for anything may as well donate it to science xD especially for things we aren't going to eat. Still don't mind computer dissection though, I think it's a bit better.
I didn't mind dissecting but I also never looked forward to it, either. I mean it was a nice break from work but it always makes your hands smell super gross after and I'd always seem to keep the smell for weeks! But I'm not one of the prissy girls who was all "EWWW I CANT TOUCH A FROG HOW GROOOSSSSS" those were always annoying -__-

RAAAAAHHH!!! I hate how most girls always think that frogs and insects are annoying! When I was 5, I used to go outside and play with worms, grasshoppers, cicadas, and inch worms! Plus, whenever we went to my grandparents house, I used to check the pool filters everyday for frogs that I could save. I just never found any of them gross at all! To me, they were all cute and cuddly. Like a puppy!

[Alveric]

That was probably a clue to you being a mermaid.