Acceptable Use Policy

Table of Contents
  1. Channel Usage
  2. Services Usage
  3. General Behavior
  4. Clones/Multiple connections from the same IP
  5. Bot Policy
  6. Impersonation of Staff Members (IRC Operators)
  7. Harassment
  8. Miscellaneous

All activity on the ChatLounge IRC Network must be in accordance to this document. Continued usage of the network implies agreeing to these terms.

This document is not intended to overly restrict usage, placing just enough limits to ensure a wonderful experience for everyone. Therefore, certain activities are prohibited.

Enforcement of this policy may range from warnings, up to and including a ban from the network in extreme cases.

Channel Usage

  • War channels are prohibited. War channels op everyone and it's a contest of who can rack up the most kicks and bans.
  • Channels created for the explicit purpose of file-sharing are prohibited, regardless of file content.
  • Channels for any form of hate organization will be closed.
  • Channels for any "adult-themed" roleplay are prohibited.
  • Channels for the distribution of pornography are prohibited.
  • Any channels that are about illegal activities are subject to closure.
  • Using auto-op is strongly encouraged, though not required. Failure to do so threatens the security of the channel in the event ChanServ is not available.
  • You agree that network staff (IRC Operators) are under no obligation to handle moderation for your channel. If they do, it's either to enforce other sections of this AUP, if they reasonably believe it's something the channel owner would want, or it would be with your permission and as a courtesy.

Services Usage

Services are set up with the purpose of maintaining a good environment for all. Therefore, flooding services is not allowed. This includes, but isn't limited to:

  • Repeatedly attempting to join channels where you are on AKICK.
  • Script/Bot fighting that causes an excessive number of services commands to be issued.
  • Repeatedly attempting to use commands where you don't have access.
  • Registering multiple NickServ accounts with the purpose of squatting, or simply holding on to an excessive number of nicks, or to register an excessive number of channels is disallowed.
  • Adding very wide entries such as *!*@* to access lists.

General Behavior

  • You may not flood the network.
  • Excessive ban-evasion from channels is grounds for being banned from the network. Each instance is considered on a case-by-case basis.
  • We reserve the right to remove highly disruptive users.
  • You may not register NickServ accounts with a temporary, disposable e-mail address. Any such accounts, when discovered, may be frozen or dropped.
  • No fillers. A filler is defined as any IRC client, bot or otherwise that serves no purpose other than to make a channel appear larger than it really is.
  • You may not use open proxies, such as TOR to connect. Anyone discovered doing so will be banned from the network.
  • Certain categories of IPs/IP-ranges, such as mobile phone networks or VPN users may require SASL authentication in order to connect successfully.
  • There is no concept of implied nickname ownership. If you wish to prevent others from using your nick, register an account with NickServ.
  • Generally, don't ask for an o-line. You will most likely be denied, even mocked.

Clones/Multiple connections from the same IP

Clones are defined as multiple connections used by the same user. For example, User and User|Mobile, to indicate a user connecting from home, and the same user connecting from his mobile phone. Multiple users connecting from the same IP are not considered clones under this policy.

While clones are discouraged, a reasonable number of clones are permitted.

  • A maximum of three clones are permitted. NickServ permits three simultaneous logins from multiple locations to reflect this. If you want to use more than three, you may use IRC bouncer software, such as ZNC, as a means to connect multiple clients behind the same IRC connection.
  • In most cases, four connections are permitted from the same IP, to reflect situations such as roommates or family members in the same household connecting at the same time. Connections from mobile devices that are not using Wi-Fi will not be counted against this total as they will be using a different IP.
  • In certain cases, operators of IRC bouncer and shell services may request i-lines, or an increase in the maximum number of connections per IP. In the unlikely event of a single household with over 3 simultaneous connections, a special server password may be issued. Please join #help and ask for more details about this.

Bot Policy

The bot policy must be followed.

Impersonation of Staff Members (IRC Operators)

Intentionally impersonating IRC Operators is strictly prohibited, and anyone caught doing so may be disconnected from the network, or in more extreme cases, banned from the network permanently.

How do I tell who's really an IRC Operator?

Please read the following FAQ entry: How do I tell who is really an IRC Operator?

Harassment

Excessive harassment is not tolerated on the ChatLounge IRC Network. It's defined as any behavior that can't be dealt with reasonably by end users through use of the ignore feature (i.e. /ignore on mIRC). This includes, but isn't limited to:

  • Channel topics, channel metadata, NickServ metadata, or any sort of information viewable outside of a channel deliberately intended to harass or present libelous statements about another user are subject to being changed, and the channel staff warned.
  • Channels created for this explicit purpose are subject to closure. NickServ accounts created for this purpose are subject to being dropped. Grouped NickServ nicks created for this purpose are subject to being dropped.

Miscellaneous

The ChatLounge IRC Network accepts no responsibility for the content that passes through its servers.

If you have any questions about this policy, or any other, please join #help.