Taxa will be established only when representative member viruses are sufficiently well characterized and described in the published literature so as to allow unambiguous identification and discrimination from similar taxa. Likewise, nomenclature will only be recognized when pertaining to viruses that are sufficiently well characterized and described in the published literature so as to allow unambiguous identification and discrimination from similar viruses. Existing names of taxa and viruses shall be retained whenever feasible. The rule of priority in naming taxa and viruses shall not be observed. Names for taxa and viruses should be easy to use and easy to remember.
Euphonious names are preferred.
Subscripts, superscripts, hyphens, oblique bars and Greek letters may not be used. New names shall not duplicate approved names. New names shall be chosen so as not to be closely similar to names in use currently or in the recent past. Sigla may be accepted as names of taxa, provided that they are meaningful to virologists in the field and are recommended by acknowledged international specialist groups. Any meaning imparted by a name of a taxon or a virus must avoid excluding viruses which are legitimate members of the taxon by alluding in the name to characteristics not possessed by all members or potential members, and not apply equally to a different taxon.