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Groups Usage Policy

Members of eBay Groups form communities based on their common eBay experiences. They can play an active role in shaping a Group's character and setting the tone for fellow Group members to follow. When members of Groups abide by the principles found in the eBay User Agreement, eBay Community Values, this Groups Usage Policy and the Groups Guidelines, Groups can be a positive and enjoyable experience for all Groups members.

This Groups Usage Policy and the Groups Guidelines describe the rules that apply to your use of the Groups system available on www.ebay.com (the "eBay Site"). If you do not agree to follow this Groups Usage Policy or the Groups Guidelines, do not use or access the Groups system on the eBay Site.

Violations of this policy may result in a range of actions, including:

  • Content removal (removal of posts or other content)

  • A warning or temporary sanction (being banned from Groups)

  • An indefinite sanction

  • Limits on account privileges

  • Account suspension

Some Examples

Definitions:

Group

An independent user group of eBay community members supported by the Groups system on the eBay Site in accordance with this Groups Usage Policy and the Groups Guidelines

Group Member

A registered eBay community member who has registered to join a Group

Leader

A qualified eBay Group member who is responsible for that Group's operations and well-being

Moderator

A Group member selected by a Group's Leader who works with the Leader to manage a Group's operations

Charter

A set of Group membership terms and conditions specific to a Group as defined by the Leader of the Group

Review Period

An initial period during which eBay confirms a Leader's qualifications

Groups Administrators

eBay employees who are responsible for managing the overall Groups system on the eBay Site, but not individual Groups, their Charters or materials posted by Group members

Groups on the eBay Site are created and maintained by qualified eBay community members called Leaders who have met the minimum requirements described in the Groups Guidelines. As part of their responsibilities, Leaders develop specific Charters that apply to their Groups. Group members, including the Leader and Moderators, must abide by the Group's Charter and all eBay policies, including the eBay User Agreement, this Groups Usage Policy and the Groups Guidelines.

Groups are independent entities that are not authorized, sponsored, endorsed or otherwise approved by eBay. Although eBay does enable its community members to participate in the Groups system through the use of its online services, eBay does not manage or direct the operations of Groups. While eBay does not moderate eBay Groups, eBay may filter posts that include malicious content with an intent to disrupt site operations, such as posts that include spam or unauthorized personal information. There are no "official" eBay user groups.

Leaders, Moderators and Group members are not employees or agents of eBay. As such, they do not have the authority to bind eBay in any way, nor are they entitled to any of the benefits which eBay makes available to its employees. Leaders, Moderators and Group members are solely responsible and liable for materials they post in the Groups.

Group members are only allowed to advertise (a) merchandise found on the eBay Site, (b) services found on the eBay Site and (c) an eBay Store, My World or About Me page within the Groups system.

Before posting, please refer to a Group’s Charter for policies specific to that group.

Restricted Activities

The following types of postings and behaviors are prohibited within Groups on the eBay Site:

  • Posting another individual’s contact information and/or email address.

  • Posting material containing profanity, vulgarity, disruptive or hostile comments, hate speech, threats of violence or defamatory comments.

  • Activities that conflict with eBay's Community Values, such as discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status or disability.

  • Posting material (graphic or text) that is obscene or pornographic.

  • Using JavaScript, active or other coding, or other actions that interfere with site operations.

  • Posting material with the intent to impersonate eBay staff or another Groups member through the use of similar User IDs or any other method or device.

  • Encouraging others to violate the eBay User Agreement or other eBay policies.

  • Advertising merchandise, services, or commercial Web sites, including offers to trade, found from sources other than the eBay Site.

  • "Want ad" posts or posting solicitations of interest in the sale of an item or service.

  • Posting of links to listings for charitable solicitations other than those listed through eBay Giving Works.

  • Posting content from private emails.

  • Posting material that in any way violates a Group’s charter, the eBay User Agreement or other eBay policies, including the Community Values.

  • Posting listings reports or member violations; encouraging or engaging in disruptive activity based on suspected violations of other members.

  • Discussion or reposting of deleted posts or warning letters; discussion of sanctioned or no longer registered members.

  • Only persons 18 or over may use eBay Groups in any way, without regard to whether an adult actually owns the registrations or an underage person has some type of parental/guardian permission.

  • Posting of intellectual property, including copyrighted and trademarked materials; altered or unaltered intellectual property; and another individual’s non-copyrighted text or images without the permission of the owner of the intellectual property.

  • Posting Group logos that include, use or otherwise incorporate the eBay name, trademarks or logos.

  • Publication or distribution of eBay Blocked Bidder/Buyer lists, or any list of persons or organizations under suspicion or disfavor (also known as "blacklists").

  • Soliciting or requiring any type of fee on the eBay Groups platform as a condition for membership in a Group.

  • Refusing to follow a Group leader’s or a Group moderator’s directions regarding a Groups’ Charter or activities within a Group.

  • Refusing to follow eBay staff instructions.

Additional Information

Notes:

Violations of this Groups Usage Policy, as well as other inappropriate postings and behaviors not listed above may result in action being taken including an immediate post removal, a warning, a sanction from Groups, and/or suspension from the eBay site. eBay and a Groups Administrator may sanction a Group member from Groups without suspending them from the eBay Site. eBay may suspend any member from Groups and from the eBay Site if they have been previously warned of violations of the Group Usage Policy, the eBay User Agreement or other eBay policies, though we reserve the right to suspend a member immediately for any reason if deemed necessary. eBay reserves the right to remove any post without warning or notice.

Sanctions and suspensions may range from one day to an indefinite time period. A sanction or suspension of one of a Group member's user ID will apply to all of that Group member's User IDs. The use of false registration information or the creation of multiple accounts for use within eBay's Groups for the purpose of disruption or in order to avoid detection may result in permanent sanction or suspension of all of the Group member's associated eBay registrations.

Due to the variety of eBay Groups, additional policies may be implemented from time-to-time. At our discretion, exceptions to the Groups Usage Policy or the Groups Guidelines may be made for certain eBay-sponsored programs or events.

Why does eBay have this policy?

eBay has its Groups Usage Policy to encourage a safe and enjoyable environment in eBay Groups where there can be open and honest communication among all members.

Please report any inappropriate post on the chat, discussion or help boards. Be sure to include the location of the post.


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