By registering an account as a member of the Wirral Rugby Club website you agree to follow this policy (the AUP), which applies to all content on the Wirral Rugby Club website, and which includes private messages sent via the site as well as postings made in public areas.

The Policy

1. Prohibited Content

1.1. Posts that contain any level of profanity, sexual content, or of an abusive or derogatory nature, that exceeds the moderator's definition of acceptable are prohibited.
* In practice this means content that would not be allowed on television before the 9pm watershed is unacceptable on this site.
* This applies not only to content posted directly on the site but also to websites addresses that link directly to such material.
* Abuse or derogatory comments which are not in the spirit of the code of conduct or the values of rugby, whether direct or inferred are prohibited.

1.2. Messages that are in contradiction with British law, or which promote such activity, are prohibited on this site.
1.2a. Legal action
* This covers posting content that is libellous or racist, or which risks legal action being taken against the site.
* Under British libel laws the burden of proof is on the defendant so we will consider anything potentially defamatory as libellous.
1.2b. Copyrighted materials
* Linking to sites carrying content without the permission of the copyright owner, or mentioning how to access such material, is forbidden.
* This also includes posting links to, or explaining how to access, unauthorized video of copyrighted rugby broadcasts and recordings.
* When linking to official audio or video only do so to the relevant page on the official web site. Do not link to other sites or directly to a media stream as this is usually against the terms and conditions of the service.
* Photographs may only be posted where you own the copyright, or have been granted permission to do so.
* Brief excerpts from articles carried elsewhere, whether a web site or in print, or images captured from TV broadcasts may be posted for editorial purposes only. Copying full articles or posting video is prohibited.
* If responding to comments made on another web site or in print, relevant portions may be quoted as appropriate.
* When including any such material you must cite the source.

1.3. Matters which are sub judice cannot be discussed.
* Under British law when a matter becomes sub judice - from the moment a charge is filed or hearing arranged and until a verdict is reached - publishers are restricted under criminal penalty to what can be published so as not to prejudice a case.
* The definition of published content includes web sites and postings on message boards. As such any discussion of ongoing cases cannot be permitted anywhere on the Wirral Rugby Club website.

1.4. Messages intended to destroy threads or to only increase post counts are prohibited
* Users who intentionally aim to prevent conversation on a thread will have their posts removed and risk losing posting rights on the board in question, or to the whole site.

1.5. Users should only post telephone numbers and other private contact details on public areas of the network when appropriate and with permission only.
* Although not prohibited, users should be aware that they are posting on a public web site and we cannot restrict who can view those details.
* If possible we recommend that you invite users to contact you via the Private Message systems or email in the first instance so that you may chose to whom you give private contact details.

2. Member Conduct

2.1. Comments that are wholly designed to upset or cause distress to others are prohibited on this site.
* We will not tolerate threatening or abusive behaviour. Anyone who is found guilty of acting this way towards any member risks being banned from the website and forums.
* Racist, homophobic,sexist or similarly offensive content is unacceptable.
* All members are reminded that foul language will not be tolerated on the website. Any posts that contain any improper language will be deleted, persistent offenders will also be banned from the website. Please note that this also includes the use of words containing characters or numbers in place of the letters. Any word that is deemed to be a suggested swear word is also unacceptable.
* Any posts containing personal insults whether intentional or otherwise will be removed from the website. Persistent offenders will be banned from the website. * This includes messages sent via the Private Message system.
* Where a user wishes to keep their identity private this should be respected.
*Comments that are derogatory either directly or by inference about any member, team, club or official of the club, or any other club or society are prohibited and will be removed.

2.2. Public criticism of the moderation process is prohibited.
* Any member who has a question about the decision of a moderator or webmaster should firstly seek clarification via the message system.

2.3. Spamming the website without prior approval is prohibited.
* For advertising approval is required by the club committee as per rule 3 below.
* For other non routine posts approval should be sought from a webmaster or club official prior to publishing. Note that match reports, team news and other standard posts do not need prior approval.

3. Advertising and Promotion

3.1. Messages intended to advertise or promote external organisations and sites without prior approval of the committee are prohibited
* Official club advertising is allowable with permission of the relevant club official.

3.2. Ticket touting is prohibited
* This means any advertising or selling of tickets above face value, whether directly posted or linked to on another site, including in signatures, for personal profit.

Moderator/Webmaster Powers

On the website a moderator may, and will where necessary

1. edit individual posts
2. delete individual posts
3. edit comments
4. delete comments
5. remove a member's posting or access rights.

Any moderator or Webmaster may

1. request a member remove or change any posted content
2. issue warnings on behalf of Wirral Rugby Club about inappropriate content
3. block a member's access to the website

Complaints
If you disagree with the decision of a moderator you should contact them via private message to discuss their actions. Starting new threads, or posting on existing threads, to complain is prohibited under rule 2.2. above.

If you remain dissatisfied after discussing an issue with a moderator, or wish to make a complaint against a moderator, then you should email your complaint to the Chairman or raise the issue with a club official

Final Authority

The AUP is non-negotiable, and all decisions of the club committee are final.

All of us involved in Wirral Rugby Club - the committee, moderators, webmasters and other contributors - want this site to be a positive reflection of our club to all within and all external viewers.

These rules have been developed to protect both the site, the Club and its members. No moderator or webmaster wishes to be removing posts and articles about the Club, we are all just volunteers who give up our time and energy for nothing other than to support our club.

There are two options for anyone using the website: either follow the rules, whether you like them or not, or stay away.