Larry Smith wrote on Sat, Oct 4, 2008 01:15 PM UTC:
Names of pieces have changed constantly, whether shifting languages or
being applied thematically. Even the Mad Queen variant does not utilize
the original names of its pieces.
Creating a nomeclature standard will not guarantee absolute compliance.
How will such be enforced? The Chess Police?
If this is simply the fear that another developer will take a proprietary
item and, just by re-naming it, attempt to lay claim, vigilance is the
answer. Part of owning a copyright or patent is enforcing it. The
paperwork does not magically force the world into acceptance, it merely
provides a reference point of legal proof. And some countries do not fully
honor the copyrights and patents of others.
And obtaining a copyright or patent does not guarantee the ability to
capitalize. That is the sole responsibility of the holder.
Keeping track of the various names of pieces, not to mention the vast
potential of movement types, will prove to be an arduous task.
Hopefully there will not be those who simply take an un-used form of
movement and give it a name, without regard to actual application in a
game. But there really is nothing to prevent this.
