Code of Conduct Discussion Group

Comment by Serafina Puchkina on January 15, 2009 at 2:19pm

This should be a fairly large group, judging from the various threads this past week.

Comment by Baron Klaus Wulfenbach on January 15, 2009 at 2:20pm

This contribution of a model is from Fraulein Mara Razor:

(1) violates or infringes the rights of others including, without limitation, patent, trademark, trade secret, copyright, publicity or other proprietary rights,
(2) is unlawful, threatening, abusive, harassing, defamatory, libelous, deceptive, fraudulent, invasive of another's privacy, tortious, or contains explicit or graphic descriptions, or accounts of, sexual acts,
(3) victimizes, harasses, degrades, or intimidates an individual or group of individuals on the basis of religion, gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, age, or disability,
(4) impersonates any person, business or entity, including AOL and its employees and agents,
(5) contains viruses or any other computer code, files or programs that interrupt, destroy or limit the functionality of any computer software or hardware or telecommunications equipment, or otherwise permit the unauthorized use of a computer or computer network,
(6) encourages conduct that would constitute a criminal offense, or that gives rise to civil liability,
(7) violates these Terms of Use, guidelines or any policy posted on AOL.COM, or
(8) interferes with the use of AOL.COM by others.

Comment by Baron Klaus Wulfenbach on January 15, 2009 at 2:21pm

For myself, I would like to share the Independent State of Caledon's Avatar Rights statement, which is incorporated into their Covenant:

AVATAR RIGHTS:

We (the estate owner and the estate managers of Caledon regions) attempt to recognise the inherent worth and dignity of everyone, and view all as equal. Therefore we establish the following principles:


I) Anonymity.
- Never shall an avatar be required to reveal ‘first life’ information about themselves.

II) Freedom from Discrimination.
- No discrimination will be based upon an avatar’s (or operator’s) ethnicity, gender, religion, or sexual orientation, either real or apparent. If your avatar is furry, mechanical or otherwise, you have the same rights and privileges as everyone else.
- Reasonable limits apply, regarding the use of an avatar’s form to cause technical problems, harassment or grief within the State of Caledon.

III) Freedom of Speech.
- An avatar may express ideas and opinions without fear of retribution.
- Please note that slander, libel, hate speech (racial, ethnic or gender slurs), scamming, fraud, harassment &c. are not considered free speech and thus not protected.
- Protests are protected speech. The time, place and manner of a protest may be limited in a reasonable, nondiscriminatory manner so as to protect other avatar’s rights.
- Methodic, active attempts to lure residents or visitors away from the State of Caledon while on our shores is considered High Treason: a betrayal of the trust that allows you to remain. Heavily promoting a foreign region is an issue; a modestly offered landmark to an offshore store in your home or shop is not.

IV) Liberty.
- Caledon recognises personal responsibility for personal actions, regardless of declared status or interpersonal relation. All are considered free to the State of Caledon, bearing both the right and responsibility of Liberty.

V) Domestic Association.
- Interpersonal associations such as avatar partnerings are not the business of the State of Caledon, and no discrimination or restrictions shall be placed on such.

VI) Freedom from Blacklist.
- The State of Caledon will not use lists distributed by other parties or agencies to take action against avatars, especially global or automatic ‘ban lists’.
- An avatar banned elsewhere will never find themselves banned here simply because they were ‘on a list’. We may, however, take reasonable precaution to protect ourselves should we hear reports of individual griefers of great harm and high notoriety.

VII) Freedom of Association.
- The State of Caledon will not act against groups categorically due to the actions of a minority of its members, unless the group’s stated raison d’etre is to cause harm.

VI) Freedom from Asset Seizure by Offshore Groups or Individuals.
- Neither land, nor property, nor business of an avatar will be subject to seizure based upon charges brought before the State of Caledon by other parties.

IX) Freedom from Unwarranted Search.
- No property will be searched by agents of the State of Caledon without prior, reasonable cause to believe that something not allowed is present. Improper search would constitute methodic inspection of structures or areas for the purpose of discovering contraband.

X) Rights of the Accused.
- Regarding actions to be, or that have been taken against an avatar by the State of Caledon, the avatar has a right to know why within a reasonable period of time. No punishment will be cruel or unusual, such as: a lifetime ban for casual littering. If anyone wishes to dispute a ban or restriction, they may do so by contacting a State of Caledon representative.

- Please note that we are not constitutional rights experts, this may be an imperfect document, and we may not make perfect decisions every time. But we promise to try to do things right in good faith.

Comment by TriloByte Zanzibar on January 15, 2009 at 2:25pm

I had been meaning to talk to Des and get his ok to use the Caledon document as a starting-off point, but haven't had the time. Thanks for hooking that up.

Comment by The Scientist on January 15, 2009 at 2:51pm

Does the Confederacy of Democratic Sims have a short CoC as well, Herr Baron?

Comment by Baron Klaus Wulfenbach on January 15, 2009 at 2:59pm

Let me check their extensive documentation and I will copy it here if comparable material is found.

Comment by Tyger Freenote on January 15, 2009 at 3:41pm

Breezy just told me about this and i'm all for it =)

Oddly i've never been victimized in SL for being a cat, just for being a Brit...hey I was just born here ;-)

I think this would support the general covenant in a very positive way.

Comment by Doctor Obolensky on January 15, 2009 at 3:48pm

To summarize in an annoyingly glib manner:

"Don't be a dick"

Comment by Captain Maelstorme Smythe on January 15, 2009 at 3:51pm

Golden rule, folks. And by that I do not mean "He who has the gold makes the rules."

Comment by Jedburgh Dagger on January 15, 2009 at 4:22pm

Doc O:

I am in agreement, but I recommend a more gender neutral genital reference.

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