Can other shows have an 'Enterprise' if it's not USS?
- Thread starter Mr. Laser Beam
- Start date
Or the Enterpize.
Probably restricted to the American and British modern navies that have vessels named "Enterprise"...
If they always introduced themselves as USAF vessels, then yeah, the prefix is USAFS/USAFV Prometheus. Just as US Coast Gaurd cutters carry the prefix "USCGC".
Otherwise, "USS" merely stands for "United States Ship" so it *could* mean any ship under US command. There's an executive order proscribing use outside the USN, but like any order, that can be rescinded.
LoL! I was thinking the same thing.
Never did get an answer to why.
I'm reminded of the cover of this book. Take one AMT Enterprise model kit, stick an additional spar between the nacelles, stick an additional bussard on top of the bridge, slightly blur the image, and you're good to go! 
The premise if this thread is wrong I think, everyone can have a USS Enterprise, CBS/Paramount do not own the name, they own the trademark but that doesn't affect the usage of the name within a story.
Of course having a USS Enterprise would be silly if you can't use the name for your merchandise or whatever the trademark applies to so it's easier to pick a different name.
It's similar to the Captain Marvel situation, nothing is stopping DC from using the name again for Shazam, it's just not worth it with Marvel owning the trademark.
Of course having a USS Enterprise would be silly if you can't use the name for your merchandise or whatever the trademark applies to so it's easier to pick a different name.
It's similar to the Captain Marvel situation, nothing is stopping DC from using the name again for Shazam, it's just not worth it with Marvel owning the trademark.
Actually, yes, they do own the name. They have absolute control over any fictional starship called USS Enterprise.
This restriction does not apply to any real-world ship with that name (such as the aircraft carriers CV-6, CVN-65, and CVN-80)* - only those that exist solely in fiction. So for example, The Orville could not have a ship called Enterprise, because Planetary Union ships have USS as the registry prefix.
That's the key. The restriction only applies specifically to USS, nothing more. So therefore B5 could theoretically have had an EAS Enterprise, Firefly could also have had an IAV Enterprise, and SG-1 could have had a USAF Enterprise.
Obviously though it's extremely unlikely that any of these shows would have done this, even though legally they could. It's a gentleman's agreement that "Enterprise" should be solely reserved for Trek.
*I honestly don't know if the US Navy has any control over fictional use of its real ships. For example, CVN-65 appeared in ST IV (even though it was actually at sea at the time, and the USS Ranger was used for filming). Did they have to get the Navy's permission before they could use it?
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Exitprise?
[gets coat]
[gets coat]
What if its acknowledged on screen/page that its named in homage of the starship & franchise? Because in the real-world we're beginning to see spacecraft named for the Enterprise and a realistic show/book depicting future space travel couldn't ignore the fact that so long as Star Trek is popular, we're going to be naming ships Enterprise.
I'm suddenly very curious about the evil planet, waiting to destroyI'm reminded of the cover of this book. Take one AMT Enterprise model kit, stick an additional spar between the nacelles, stick an additional bussard on top of the bridge, slightly blur the image, and you're good to go!
Space Battleship Yamato 2202 has a sort of nod to the USS Enterprise in relation to TNG series relationship between the USS Enterprise and the USS Yamato. In Yamato 2202, Space Battleship Yamato (UNCN Yamato, BBY-01 (UNCN = "United Nations Cosmo Navy")) has two new near-sister ships. Deep Space Explorer Musashi (UNCN Musashi, BBY-02) and Experimental Research Vessel Ginga (UNCN Ginga, BBY-03). "Ginga" translates into English as "Galaxy". Thus, while there is no "Enterprise" in the fleet that we are aware of, there is a Yamato-class ship named Galaxy in Yamato 2202, like there is a Galaxy-class ship named Yamato in Star Trek.
There are many ships named in early episode on that series. One includes a Marusame-class cruiser named UNCN Kirk. And Kongo-class battlecruiser named UNCN Sugerloaf. (the naming pattern is a little wide, but some of the ships with English names appear to be named after American Revolutionary battles and others after people).
There are many ships named in early episode on that series. One includes a Marusame-class cruiser named UNCN Kirk. And Kongo-class battlecruiser named UNCN Sugerloaf. (the naming pattern is a little wide, but some of the ships with English names appear to be named after American Revolutionary battles and others after people).
The in-universe reason was probably due to the navy having an enterprise in their universe
That's fascinating stuff about Troll.
I like the idea of there being one in the B5 universe, since it's set around the same time as TOS, and EAS Enterprise being commanded by Jamie Kurt or Christian Peak or something
Did happen occasionally after that, often in formal change of command ceremonies - e.g. Chain of Command and The Dogs of War (DS9) or in normal dialogue such as in Cause and Effect.
I don't think it would be anywhere near that restrictive. The United States Patent and Trademark Office only list two trademarks for the word USS Enterprise, both in relation to licensed models, die-cast ships etc. It does not appear on an admittedly limited search that the term USS Enterprise is trademarked in any other respect. Probably because of the real life uses, the ability to do so is limited. Even 'Starship Enterprise' doesn't have much more, adding "advertising on a dirigible" to the list.
So, if they were to rely on copyright, the test of substantial similarity would apply. Using the name of a real life US Naval vessel for a fictional starship, without more, would not necessarily be a slam dunk case.
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Agreed. Don't see why a space carrier could be explicitly named for the historical aircraft carrier. Arguably, it wouldn't even need to be since Enterprise was used for ship names long before Star Trek or even the 20th century. And Col. O'Neill would approve.
