PhyloCode: Appendix B. Code of Ethics

Authors proposing new names or converting preexisting names should observe the following principles, which together constitute a code of ethics.
Authors should not publish a new name or convert a preexisting one if they have reason to believe that another person intends to establish a name for the same clade (or that the clade is to be named in a posthumous work). An author in such a position should communicate with the other person (or their representatives) and only attempt to establish a name if the other person has failed to do so in a reasonable period (not less than a year).
Authors should not publish a replacement name (a nomen substitutum) for a later homonym without informing the author of the latter name about the homonymy and allowing that person a reasonable time (at least a year) to establish a replacement name.
Authors should not propose a name that, to their knowledge or reasonable belief, would be likely to give offense on any grounds.
Authors should not use offensive or insulting language in any discussion or writing that involves phylogenetic nomenclature. Debates about phylogenetic nomenclature should be conducted in a courteous and professional manner.
Editors and others responsible for the publication of works dealing with phylogenetic nomenclature should avoid publishing any material that appears to them to contain a breach of the above principles.
Adherence to these principles is a matter for the conscience of individual persons. The CPN is not empowered to rule on alleged breaches of them.