Alibi Magazine

Magazine founder Dan Stone says that they were aware from the beginning that there was a small alt-weekly based out of Albuquerque called The Weekly Alibi but felt that because their project was so different in theme and scope, that there wouldn’t be any conflict.

But then The Weekly Alibi came calling. They informed the magazine that they had purchased the federal trademark in the late 90s'.

“They had every right to ask us to change it,” Stone says.

The situation is not unlike the one that forced Longshot Magazine, another literary project born in the Bay Area, to change its name. Orignally called 48 Hour Magazine, CBS, which produces the television news magazine "48 Hours", sent the project a cease and desist letter.

Stone feels that Longshot Magazine emerged triumphant, and wants to follow suit.

“They wound up with a larger readership and, in my opinion, a better name,” he said.

In an attempt to turn the hiccup into a positive, Stone and his cohorts are holding a contest that will let their potential readers rename the magazine.

Participants have until Halloween to submit suggestions for a new name for the magazine, after which the magazine’s board of directors will whittle the choices down. A new name will be chosen from an abbreviated list.

Stone said the response had been healthy, especially after they followed up their initial post with one providing clear guidelines for what they’re looking for in a name.

In addition to “eternal glory”, the winner gets a free subscription to the magazine and front row seats and backstage passes to a Neko Case showcase. (The musician sits on the magazine’s board of directors.)