
Back in 2019, Beatles drummer Ringo Starr filed a lawsuit against a company for using his moniker on a sex toy known as “Ring O.”
Ringo had just been knighted under his real name, Richard Starkey.
So, the new knight of the realm contested the product name and went on a lawsuit rampage.
I think we can all relate to Sir Ringo’s ordeal.
Having his name on a penial sex toy can take a swing at anyone’s reputation, and if you’re a knight and music superstar, who knows what this can do to your brand?
Eventually, Ringo dropped his lawsuit after the company committed to avoiding any activity that could lead to confusion between its product line and the artist.
The agreement stated that manufacturers could only use the name on adult toys and sprays, and they must put a space between the word “ring” and the letter “O,” as Ringo Starr is the current owner of the RINGO wordmark.
We might think all is well when it ends well, but there is more to this story than meets the eye.
Brand is effect
Sure, “Ringo Starr” has a nice ring to it and a certain macho-sex-appeal vibe that artists revere.
I can understand the appeal of writing under a nom de plume. The internet allows everyone to hide behind the cloak of anonymity.
Still, creators need to understand how a name becomes the front window to their business core values.
This is all part of the marketing game, I get it.
But, if you want to go for a pen name like “RambO Exel” or “ClitO Venus,” please think twice or grow a backbone if you find your moniker advertised online for some new type of sex toy.
Your readers are likely to believe that your new venture is in the sex toys industry, and you end up having to dispute in court.
In Ringo Starr’s case, the mountain labored and brought forth nothing but an embarrassing agreement.
If you’re wondering, any Beatles fan can still put their hands or any other bodily part on the RingO Ritz Super Stretchy Erection Ring for $9.99 at Walmart.
So stop sacrificing who you are for the sake of what others may think.
If your name rhymes with turkey or car key, own it.
My name isn’t marketable by any means, but I wouldn’t change it just to fake it till I make it.
Be yourself no matter what. Readers want to see the real you.
Stop using those phony AI-generated profile pics. You are only fooling yourself if you think readers dig that.
I’m tired of seeing guys hiding behind images of pornstar-looking pinup avatars.
What about you?
Write to get sick of it, of not knowing. And there you’ll find your answer. Not in the words, but in the willingness to keep praying into the dark.
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Rui Alves is a language teacher, published author, international book judge, and publisher. He runs Alchemy Publications and serves as editor-in-chief for Engage on Substack, Life Unscripted, Musicverse, Writelicious, The Academic, Portugal Calling, Engage on Medium, Rock n’ Heavy, Beloved, Zenite, Poetaph, Grind, and Babel.
I use my real name and face. I wish all this had come along when I was young enough to muster up a little hotness, but here I am 59 with gray hair. At least you know I’m authentic— nobody pretends to be old and gray! I’ve decided, actually, to lean in on it — to own it. It’s just Spike Gillespie and me showing up in long gray braids.
I used my initials and last name when I first started writing online for Medium, but I kept finding people got confused about whether I was male or female.
They also confused J I as JL.
My idea at the beginning was J for Jocelyn and I for the word “I”, then Millis, my last name.
I ended up having to explain it too many times. Jay Squires asked me why I named myself like a moon of Jupiter. He thought it was J1.
I changed my writer’s handle to my actual name : Jocelyn Millis.
It’s been simple since then, only thing I regret is starting to receive emails from men with two first names calling me beautiful. Didn’t get them before.
However, I do use pictures taken at different times on different platforms. It’s all me. Time has done different things to my face but it’s all me.
Sometimes unsavoury men make fun of women’s photos so I’m tolerant if people prefer a logo or a drawing instead of a photograph to present themselves or their writing.
Otherwise I like to see how people look when they’re being themselves. Your photo Rui is a good example, it’s you being you.
Michelle Teheux has great hair and it’s a sign she’s been writing for years. It goes with her personality and writing style - straight talk.
The Brand for Ring -O. Leave it at Walmart is my advice.
But, don’t name your child something cute in the moment.
I taught a girl named Pixie Bright, her parents caused her unmeasurable grief by their thoughtlessness.
And think about initials too.
A boy I went to school with was called Ken doll by the boys.
His name was Kevin Eric Nanton.
His Mom used permanent marker and put his initials on everything he owned. KEN.
It took two days before the smart mouth in the class called him KEN Doll. They never quit calling him that.