Someone reported my forum (more details inside)

[ktelyn]

Basically I run a Graphics Art forum (http://www.gasrforum.com/)

In our terms of service, http://www.gasrforum.com/register , we state the following:

- Theft - which includes copying, tracing, and flat-out steal - will NOT be tolerated.

We have found a user that seems to trace/use copyrighted photographs and we obviously don't want the user to sell those on our forum because of legal issues, and it is stated in the forums terms of service. Myself and moderators kindly asked her for proof of her work (a video, since works in progresses can be faked) and she refused and threatened to report the forum.

The user is now mass-spamming complaints of abuse in our forum, and will not stop. The user is saying "Defamatory content and / or affecting the integrity of a person".

Will my forum be shut down because of this? Should I just straight-up ban them?

Edit: I would also like to add we put this in our forum guidelines:

You may only sell work that is 100% made by YOU

Modifying the artwork of others is still art theft, as is copying other images. Art theft is serious and can result in a permanent ban from the forums as well as legal action from the original artist!

If you believe that someone is stealing artwork, please contact a moderator first. Although we are not IMVU, and won't give you warnings or bans from calling out an art thief, we would still like to spare the drama. Contact a moderator or admin with proof of the theft, and we will take care of it ASAP!

We have the right to lock and review a thread at any time if we feel as though your artwork is suspicious. If you cannot prove that your art is authentic via WIPs and/or livestream/video, then we have the right to revoke your privilege of being on this forum.

Additionally, if you try to make alt accounts and sell the same artwork, we will know.

[Shian]

Hello.

Your forum should be fine as long as you ban the member. Remove all of the copied images the member has posted on the forum (if any) because it may be held against you if that member filed a litigation report. Your forum should not be deleted as long as you remove that user's content.

[ktelyn]

Thank you for your response!

It's just getting crazy and I'm actually shaking from all of this stupid drama. The users friends keep harassing the forum as well, it's like they all came out of nowhere.

[Ape]

Hi you may ban this member if you so wish..
They have broke the rules them self if they are placing spam on your forum. so ban is the only way to deal with that sort of thing.

Okay as for the member reporting your forum ....Well this will not be a problem for you as long as you have not broke any of our TOS.

The report will be looked at by the head staff and then if you have not broke the TOS then your forum will not be banned.

Reporting a forum for such a silly thing as asking to prove there work is not a Rule or FM's so i can not see it being a problem to our service to you.

Hope this helps you out with your problem..

Your friendly Helper Ape

[kirk]

As long as you are following all forumotions TOS then you dont have anything to worry about.
As far as the member just ban them and be done with it

[Shian]

No problem.

Oh, I'm sorry you're having to experience this. If the harassment gets out of hand, ban the members. Other than that, no need to start shaking! Your going to be fine. Forumotion's got you covered.

[SLGray]

If you let them get to you, they will continue.

[ktelyn]

Thank you so much for the posts/support! ;-;

[Ape]

Thank you so much for the posts/support! ;-;

You are more then welcome that is what we are here for

please have a nice day or night

also if your problem has been answered please mark your thread as solved by clicking edit on your first posts and clicking the little green solved icon then re-send your post

Thank you

[kirk]

Since the question was answered i will now mark and archive

Topic Solved & Locked