I'll oblige for the sake of keeping everyone happy but I think its stupid that you're not allowed to even mention another company's name. I mean what does it hurt? I'm not advertising their products, and like you said everyone pretty much knows "the other guys". I think US is just being overly cautious.
But alas rules are rules so I'll comply.
That particular company is always in the gray area. As many of you know, the Catalyst was a joint Ultrasabers/TCSS venture.
I think the reason there is some caution in naming another company is that eventually, you are going to have someone bashing said company and then they'll blame US for starting a flame war.
I have seen on some other forums where people take liberties with changing names of companies to be derogatory toward that company. I have seen Sabers be called Stealers for two groups names and another company from the owner's last name to a name associated with male anatomy. Childish? Yes. The poster of the comments is the person engaged in inappropriate behavior but their association with a particular forum means that people will view the forum as sharing the same views and opinions of the poster. My personal problem with one such forum was due to the actions of ten people and not the entire membership but since the forum never sanctioned those ten individuals, I don't do business with anyone exclusively associated with that forum.
I think it has just always been a gentleman's agreement between the forums and the companies that if the company is not directly tied to the site, it is not mentioned to prevent any insinuation that someone is advertising to draw business away.
One forum has in its rules that you cannot mention Ultrasabers in any form due to a flame war that broke out over a disagreement.
Having lived in the Deep Southern US, I can say that no one has crazy people in their family, they are just a little peculiar. It is just a nicer way of saying the obvious.
Not directed toward anyone in particular: if the main store page lists a company by name, then I don't see how one can be in violation of rules by naming said company on the forum. The big thing with the other companies is that they manufacture products comparable to Ultrasabers and therefore naming them could influence a new forum member to purchase from that company rather than from Ultrasabers.
As always though, if you see something that you think is out of bounds, always notify a moderator. That is why they have the title of moderator to make these tough judgment calls.
NOW on a lighter note: How about Ultrasabers take over another company and create the Ultra Sabers Parcel Service since they are currently so efficient with creating sabers, they could turn an inefficient company into an efficient one that delivers my bills and my sabers.
