Jump to content

Blog post: Greg H.: No singing "In the Navy" unless you are actually in the Navy

SFN Blogs
in SFN Blogs

Featured Replies

So I was reading an article on CNN about the new TLD's being considered by ICANN. In the article they were discussing specific complaints addressed by governments such as Saudi Aradia (which objected to .gay and .islam, among others).

 

Then I ran across this tidbit:

 

Saudi Arabia isn't the only government filing complaints with ICANN. American clothing retailer Patagonia has applied for .patagonia, riling up the government of Argentina where the Patagonia region, named by Magellan in 1520, is located. The Royal Australian Navy is objecting to the .oldnavy and .navy extensions due to an Australian law that prohibits anyone not in the navy from using the word without permission.

 

Immediately my bullshit-o-meter went off the scale. Surely this can't be right? The Australian Navy has that kind of authority? Well, fine.

 

Navy navy navy navy navy navy navy navy navy navy.

Come and get me.

 

Actually, the article, in typical journalistic fashion, isn't being entirely accurate - or more precisely, factually complete.

 

The law is actually the DEFENCE (PROHIBITED WORDS AND LETTERS) REGULATIONS 1957. And it does in fact actually spell out the word Navy, as well as Air Force, and a few others that are used fairly commonly such as Regular Army, and Army Reserve.

 

However, what the article fails to point out is that the law only applies to commercial enterprises. Specifically:

 

(1)

For this regulation, the use, in connexion with a trade, business, calling or profession or by an organization or body of persons, of:

(a)

a word, or words, specified in the second column of a Part of Schedule 1, being a word or words that is or are descriptive or indicative of:

(i)

a part of the Naval Forces, Military Forces or Air Forces of a part of the Queen's dominions; or

(ii)

a service or body of persons associated with the defence of the Commonwealth; or

(b)

a group of letters specified in the third column of a Part of Schedule 1, being a group of letters that is descriptive or indicative of:

(i)

a part of the Naval Forces, Military Forces or Air Forces of a part of the Queen's dominions; or

(ii)

a service or body of persons associated with the defence of the Commonwealth;

is a restricted use.

 

Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer, either in the US or Australia.

 

That said, it seems to me that what the intent of the law was to prevent people from having their customers think that a specific business was somehow connected to, affiliated with, or endorsed by a particular branch of the armed forces, which is a stance I can agree with, especially with so many young men and women in harm's way right now - everyone loves a patriot (sort of).

 

All of that aside, I am not sure how far Australia is willing to push ICANN into enforcing a specific local legislation on the rest of the world, especially when there are already websites on the Internet that would violate that law (www.oldnavy.com for starters). Yet, Old Navy makes no claim to be "descriptive of, a part of, or associated with" any part of the Australian Navy - and maybe that should be the guide. As in real life, if someone misrepresents themselves as being affiliated with a government organization when they aren't, then you take action to stop the offense.

 

Though, you have to wonder, if you publish a book about the Navy, called The Navy, in Australia, have you broken the law? And, more importantly, would anyone really care?Read and comment on the full post

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.

Configure browser push notifications
Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.