If a member of the forum breaks forum rules, which include Invisionfree ToS and possibly other guidelines as the mods agree on them, they may be given an Official Warning depending on the severity of the breach and the number of times they have broken the rules since their last warning. Official Warnings are administered through the built-in Warning System, which allows moderators to increase warning levels in increments of 20%, and enforce moderation as required.
To ensure fair moderation across the board, these guidelines will be placed in effect for all moderation actions:
20% warning - 5 hour mod preview
20% - 1 day mod preview
40% - 5 hour post suspension, 3 day mod preview
60% - 3 day post suspension, 1 week mod preview
80% - 1 week post suspension, indefinite mod preview
100% - Automatic IP Ban
And should, after 100%, the member's posts obviously are not improving, or if they're carrying on through PM's, they get kicked out the door via IP ban.
In addition, the moderators may collectively decide to implement a PM Restriction if a member sends two or more warnable PMs.
Pornographic or advertisement spam, the publication or imprudent distribution of personal information, hacking, or forum destruction may result in an immediate IP Ban.
A member may request the removal of an indefinite mod preview restriction, PM restriction, three months after it was imposed or the last review of such. If the member has improved their behavior sufficiently, the restriction will be lifted.
A member may request for a reduction in their warning level 3 months after the last change in their warning level or their last such request. The moderators may approve this request if they feel the member's behavior has improved.
A banned member may request the removal of their ban 3 years after it is imposed. No more than one request will be considered from a given banned member in a given year. The request may be approved if the moderators and administrators believe the banned member will not repeat the activities which led to their ban. Unbanned members may nevertheless face individually chosen restrictions.
Definitions:
Mod Preview: A mod must review posts before they are publically viewable visible
Post Suspension: The member cannot post, but can still use other forum services and read topics.
IP Ban: Prevents a single computer or internet connection from accessing the forum. Other ban methods may be used if a single IP proves ineffective.
In the (hopefully unlikely) event of an extremely severe breach, it is possible that a more severe penalty may be enacted for that offence. However, deviations from this procedure will not be enacted without a general consent of all moderators.
