Guidelines
The KottNet IRC Network is a general purpose network, and you are free to use it for all types of channels, with some exceptions, which are stated below. By using this network and its services, you agree to the following terms. If you do not agree with these terms, you may not use our service and must disconnect immediately. Users found in violation of this policy will be removed on either a temporary or permanent basis, at the discretion of the KottNet staff.
§1 - Topics that are forbidden on KottNet
The following topics are considered off-topic on this network, and are strictly forbidden:
- Warez, Piracy, and other violations of copyright laws.
- Activites that are illegal in any of the countries where KottNet has servers.
Furthermore, channels that are designed to control botnets and channels that discuss how to create botnets are forbidden. In addition, channels with words in their name or topic that could be associated with any of these forbidden topics will be evaluated by network staff and actions may be taken according to the staff's decision.
§2 - Protection of Personal Information for Children
This network abides by the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (otherwise known as COPPA). As such, the policies stated within COPPA prevent us from legally storing personal information from users under a certain age. If you are under 13 years of age, you may not register with NickServ, or provide any other personally identifiable information to the KottNet IRC network. Thus, by signing onto the network, you are stating that you agree to this policy. Click here for more information about COPPA and how it protects children.
§3 - Channel Guidelines
Channel owners may request channel cloaks for themselves and their users if the channel in question has 15 users (or more) and has been registered with ChanServ for at least one (1) week. The name of the channel may only contain letter A-Z and digits 0-9 to be qualified for cloaking. Network staff will not interfere with channel politics, channel bans or any other channel-wide matter. It's up to the opped people of each channel to maintain it. Any topic may be discussed, as long as it's legal in all countries where the network has servers (common sense should be enough to obey this).
§4 - Harassment of Users
Harassment of users, whether directly done over a public channel, private message, or other form of communication is strictly forbidden on this network, and will not be tolerated.
§5 - Inappropriate Advertising and Advertising of Other Networks
Users who use this network are forbidden from advertising inappropriate sites, networks, or other items. Users who use this network are also forbidden from advertising other IRC networks, chat networks, etc. Users found to be doing this will have disciplinary action taken against them as per the decision of staff.
§6 - Forbidden Types of Links
Users who post any links, either links directly to a site or indirectly with a URL shortener, to pages that fall into certain categories will be disciplined. The list of forbidden types of links include (but is not limited to):
- Scripted sites with no purpose except to annoy the user
- Sites which use scripts to damage a system
- Sites which load viruses onto a system without a user's knowledge
- Sites which load malware onto a system without a user's knowledge
Further, links to the following are off-topic on KottNet, and users posting these will be disciplined as per decision of staff (note that this is not an all-inclusive list):
- Illegal Torrents
- "Free" versions of applications and programs which require paid licenses to use
- Illegal downloads (and similar sites)
- Hardcore pornography and illegal sites with illegal content
§7 - Illegal Activities
If illegal activities are found to be occurring on this network, these activities may be reported to law enforcement agencies, and disciplinary action will be taken against those involved.
§8 - Open Proxies, Tor Nodes and IP Scanning
Upon connecting to the network, you will have your system probed with the intent on detecting any open proxies your system may be running. Should the system probes find an open proxy connected to or in use by your system, you will be immediately disconnected from the network. Your system's network address and host name will also be checked off of databases containing lists of network addresses and host names that are known to be malicious and/or are known to be running proxies and Tor nodes. Should your network address or host name be found in one of these databases, your system will be immediately disconnected from the network.
§9 - User's Awareness of Network Staff's Rights
Network staffers reserve all rights to modify any part of the network without notice. This includes closing channels, editing services, changing the structure of the network, etc. If you have a problem with a decision made by network staff, we would ask that you accept the decision for the time being, and address the issue at a later time.
Please note that the network staff members reserve the right to change these policies, restrict access to services, and/or shut down the network and its services at any time and without prior notification to its users.