MGS Web Sites Code of
Conduct
This document was last
updated: June 2005
To make sure MGS Web Sites are fun for everyone, you
need to follow some basic rules, outlined below. The Code of Conduct and the
Terms of Use apply to all activity on MGS Web Sites, including forums and
chats.
- Don't use MGS Web Sites to do anything illegal.
Microsoft isn't responsible for anything you post on the site or for
anything that happens because of what you post; you alone are responsible.
- Don't use inappropriate language. This includes
comments that look, sound like, stand for, hint at, abbreviate, or
insinuate any of the following: profane words/phrases, hate speech
(including but not limited to racial, ethnic, or religious slurs), illegal
drugs/controlled substances, or illegal activities.
- Don't distribute, post, or discuss obscene or other
unlawful materials like child pornography or illegal drugs.
- Don't harass, abuse,
threaten, stalk, or spam other users.
- Don't defend yourself against profane attacks with
profanity as you will be treated in the same manner as the originator.
- Don't create a forum or chat name with any profanity,
sexually explicit language, sexual innuendo, or racial, ethnic, or
religious slurs in it. Don't create a name that references controversial religious
topics, notorious people, organizations, or sensitive current or
historical events that may also be considered inappropriate. Microsoft
reserves the right to ban any name it deems inappropriate for any reason.
- Don't publish, post, or disseminate defamatory,
infringing, obscene, sexual, or other unlawful material including images,
audio, or text.
- Don't post links to Web sites that violate the Code
of Conduct.
- Don't post links to materials that could harm other
users' computers or would allow others to inappropriately access software
or Web sites.
- Don't impersonate or harass Microsoft employees,
moderators, or staff members.
- Any non-game-related conversation that takes up a
substantial amount of the forum or chat space and prevents users from finding
game-related information may be considered a violation of the Code of
Conduct.
- Avoid excessive shouting (use of all-caps) or
flooding (continuous posting of repetitive text).
- Don't use the forums or chats for any commercial
purpose without the express consent of MGS Web Sites. You may only create
an account for yourself as an individual. You may not create an account
for your corporation or other business entity.
If you violate the Code of
Conduct or the Terms of Use, action may be taken against your account.
Microsoft is not obligated to warn you before taking these actions.
- Microsoft is not obligated to monitor every post, but
we have the right to remove any post or take action against any poster.
- Microsoft reserves the right to remove at any time,
without notice, any user-created content from MGS Web Sites.
- Microsoft reserves the right to immediately terminate
or suspend a user for violations.
- Microsoft can contact any Internet Service Provider
and provide the ISP with information on illegal activities.
Some offenses warrant an
immediate permanent ban, including severe racial remarks, profane usernames,
posting viruses or URLs to viruses. In addition, trying to avoid a temporary
ban by creating a string of new accounts may result in a permanent ban on the
new user ID and a possible escalation of punishment to the original ID.
General Web Site Precautions
- Some areas of MGS Web Sites may post Internet Web site
links. Please be advised that Microsoft is not responsible for the content
on the Web sites associated with the links you may view.
- Some content and links on the Internet may contain
adult content and may not be suitable for children. We encourage parents
to join their children as they surf and explore the Internet.
- You are responsible for any actions you may take
based on advice or information you receive online. Use your own good
judgment when evaluating information provided through MGS Web Sites.
Remember that the information provided could be from people of any age and
experience level. The decision to conduct transactions with anyone is your
own, and you should do your own research prior to making any decisions.
- Don't give out your/others personally identifiable
information (such as social security numbers, credit card numbers, names
and addresses, telephone numbers, driver license numbers) to strangers
online, as this information may be used for illegal or harmful purposes.
Be sure to reread this
document once in a while because Microsoft can change it at any time and you're
responsible and liable for your activities when using the service. Some games
and events may also have additional guidelines that govern your use, so be sure
to review them in addition to this Code of Conduct.