diff --git a/anti-patterns.md b/anti-patterns.md index b67e063..8d52f27 100644 --- a/anti-patterns.md +++ b/anti-patterns.md @@ -33,6 +33,10 @@ Framework adapted from professional naming agencies. If a name has any of these, Driven by fear of standing out. "WordPress Site Monitor" is a description, not a name. "Cloud-Based Team Collaboration Platform" is a sentence, not a brand. + **WordPress Trademark:** Using **"WordPress"** inside a product name is not only generic — it can violate the WordPress Foundation trademark policy. +- **Acceptable pattern:** *"[Product Name] for WordPress"* (descriptor). +- **Risky / disallowed pattern:** *"WordPressBackup", "WordPressMonitor", "WPWordPressTool".* + **Why it happens:** Stakeholders feel safe with descriptions because they're immediately clear. But clarity without memorability is useless — people understand what the product does for 5 seconds, then forget its name forever. **The fix:** Use the description as your tagline, not your name. The name creates recall; the tagline creates clarity. diff --git a/availability.md b/availability.md index a6c46d2..c46bf74 100644 --- a/availability.md +++ b/availability.md @@ -128,6 +128,17 @@ For serious products, do a basic trademark search. You don't need a lawyer for i --- +### WordPress Naming Restrictions + +The WordPress Foundation enforces trademark rules that affect plugin and theme naming: + +- **"WordPress" cannot be used** in commercial product names (plugin, theme, SaaS) +- **"WP" is allowed** but discouraged — signals commodity, not premium +- **"for WordPress" is acceptable** as a descriptor, not a name component +- **Check:** [WordPress Trademark Policy](https://wordpressfoundation.org/trademark-policy/) + +--- + ## Availability Decision Framework Not every platform needs to be available. Prioritize based on your product type: