---
sidebar_position: 0
title: "General"
description: "Lay ground rules on how to use and interact with StarOpenSource's services"
---

# General Terms of Service
On this page basic ground rules are layed down. These will always apply,
no matter the service you are using. Service-specific terms of service
will always inherit these Terms of Service and can selectively override
specific rules listed on this page.

All users will be notified of changes to this or the relevant
service-specific Terms of Service document by email.

All revisions of this and all service-specific Terms of Service
documents can be viewed [here](https://git.staropensource.de/Infrastructure/website-docs/commits/branch/develop/docs/policies/tos).

## §1 *Infrastructure abuse*
Do not abuse StarOpenSource's infrastructure, services, members or projects.

This includes the distribution of malicious software (unless the user is
specifically warned about the side effects before the malware is executed),
spam or other annoying, disruptive or harming actions.

Violations will result in the permanent and irreversible deactivation
of all accounts of the violating party on all of StarOpenSource's services.

## §2 *Communication rules*
Be friendly and kind to other people. Discrimination, manipulation, gaslighting,
bullying, trolling, harassing or other forms of harm are strictly forbidden.

Specifically these cases fall under harassment and discrimination:
- disrespecting the chosen gender of an individual
- attacking someone for their chosen identity
- harassing based on the religion, skin tone, body feature or other things of another person
- insulting others
- calling people names

Violations will result in the permanent and irreversible deactivation
of all accounts of the violating party on all of StarOpenSource's services
if a proper apology by the violating party is not held after 72 hours
and a majority vote of the community fails.

An exception however can be made to a violation of one's chosen
gender or identity if the offender did not know of the victim's
gender or identity, properly apologized within 72 hours and stops
the violating behaviour immediately.

## §3 *Alternative accounts*
Using multiple accounts on StarOpenSource's services is not allowed.
Multiple accounts can be used to circumvent restrictions and account
terminations and are therefore not allowed.

Violations will result in the permanent and irreversible deactivation
of all accounts of the violating party on all of StarOpenSource's services.

## §4 *Reports of misbehaving users*
The failure to report misbehaviour 72 hours after learning of one's
misbehaviour and the affecting rule will count as assistance
and will be punished as hard as the misbehaving party will be.

## §5 *Country laws*
Follow the laws of Germany and your country.
You surely don't want to get StarOpenSource or yourself into trouble.