Fighting-Fish Naming and Nomenclature Act 2011

1 Short title

This Act may be cited as the Fighting-Fish Naming and Nomenclature Act 2011.

2 Objects

The objects of this Act are to ensure that every registered fish has a unique name, that the name is dignified or at least memorable, and that the Registry has something to do on Tuesdays.

3 Definitions

In this Act:

name means the word or words by which a fish is known to its human, whether or not the fish responds to it.

taken in relation to a name, means already entered in the National Register of Fish Names.

middle name means a name placed between a first name and whatever comes after it, for the purpose of making a taken name available again.

4 Establishment of the Register

The Registrar must keep a National Register of Fish Names, in a large book, with a ribbon bookmark.

5 Registration of names

(1) A name may be registered by lodging Form N-01 (Application to Register a Fish Name).

(2) The Registrar must refuse to register a name that is taken.

6 Taken names

(1) Where a name is taken, the applicant may apply to register the same name with a middle name inserted.

(2) For example, if "Thug Math" is taken, the applicant may apply for "Thug Reginald Math", "Thug Of Math" or "Thug Unexpected Math".

(3) The names "Thug Math" and "Sir Finsworth" were both taken in 1987 and are not expected to become available.

7 Dignity

A name must be capable of being read aloud at a formal function without causing anyone to drop a sandwich.

8 Length

A name must not be longer than the fish.

9 Changes of name

(1) A fish may change its name by Form N-09 (Notice of Change of Name).

(2) A fee waiver applies where a fish formerly known as "Sir Finsworth" is now known as "Gary", in recognition of the emotional journey involved.

10 Prohibited names

The following names may not be registered:

(a) "Fish";

(b) "The Fish";

(c) "Not A Fish"; and

(d) any name containing the word "Registrar".

11 Name certificates

The Registrar may issue a Certificate of Name, which the human may frame and the fish may ignore.

12 Disputes about names

A dispute about who registered a name first must be resolved by checking the large book referred to in section 4. If the ribbon bookmark has moved, the dispute is adjourned.

13 Interaction with other laws

A name registered under this Act is valid for the purposes of every other Act, including the Bowl Sovereignty Act, under which a fish may style itself "Sovereign of the Realm" in addition to its registered name.