Shareholder Covenant
1. Introduction
Owning a share of Vineland is a bit different than owning land elsewhere in Second Life. First and foremost, owning a share here supports the Go Center by helping pay for the fees associated with keeping the region running, and by creating community investment through your build and presence.
Each share supports 1/10th of the region (6,553 sq. m.), but has only 1/16th of the land (4,096 sq. m.) for use by the shareholder. The difference is used by the Go Center itself.
By owning a share of the Go Center, you agree to abide by this covenant. If you break it, your land may be reclaimed.
The Estate owners are Zarf Vantongerloo and BamBam Sachertorte. Ultimately, they pay the bills to Linden Lab, and therefore have final authority over the region. Buying a share here means that you are entering into this agreement with them.
2. Money
There are two financial commitments when buying a share: The purchase price, and a monthly maintenance fee.
The purchase price is set by the seller of a share. Buyer and seller are free to agree on any price they wish.
The monthly maintenance fee for a share is US$35 per month and is paid to the estate owner. When you purchase land, the month including the purchase date is already covered. Thereafter, you must pay the fee before the month it covers. Lastly, should you sell, you must cover the month in which you sell the share. There are no pro-rated monthly fees.
Fees can be paid via PayPal to the estate owner in US$, or in L$. If paying by L$, be aware that the conversion rate will fluctuate with the LindeX, and will compensate for the fees the estate owner has to pay to convert to US$.
3. Golden Rule
The reason there are shares is to support the Go Center. Therefore, in general, always act so as to not disturb the peace and function of the Go Center. Your builds, your conduct and your visitors should never disturb people playing Go, nor the other shareholders. It's not a monastery, but we strive for a calm environment.
4. Build
◆ Do not build up to the edge of your parcel. You can landscape up to the edge.
◆ No ban lines - they are hideous! Don't check anything on Access tab of the About Land window. Instead, ban individual avatars as needed. Just right click on them and choose Eject, or use the Ban tab of the About Land window.
◆ Do not terraform radically, nor make your land perfectly flat. Please respect the shoreline, and leave the gorge alone.
◆ Vegetation is highly encouraged.
◆ Try to tie in your build to the others nearby through positioning and landscaping. No land was reserved between shares for infrastructure so that shareholders could decide where things like paths and walkways should go. Talk with your neighbors and do projects together.
◆ Go is an international game with a clear Asian heritage. The build theme here is the same, with a dose of the surreal, because this is Second Life. Please try to keep roughly to the theme.
5. Activity
You can use your land for any purpose, so long as as keeps the feel of the Go Center - a peaceful, welcoming place to play Go. Commercial use is acceptable, but it is not a commercial region. It is acceptable to hang out a sign for your Go lessons or tea house or stone polishing service. It is not okay to have a giant billboard or a casino.
The Go Center is a PG region. It's a place to play the world's oldest strategy game, not to indulge in the world's oldest pastime. Sexual play and talk isn't appropriate.
Hate speech, intolerance, or otherwise acting like a ten year old isn't acceptable. Nor are weapons other than period costume accessories.
6. Consequences
If the estate owner feels you are violating this covenant, two other share holders, chosen at random, will be consulted as well. If all three agree that there is a violation, you'll be asked to remedy the situation within 24 hours. After that, the share may be reclaimed.
If you are more than 5 days late with your monthly payment multiple times, or more than 15 days late even once, the estate owner may reclaim the share immediately.
If a share is reclaimed, there will be no remuneration for the land, nor refund of any monthly fees.
7. Closing
This agreement may have to be altered from time to time. But the estate owner will hold a discussion with the shareholders on any proposed changes prior to altering.
Owning a share in the Go Center is a major way to support the Go Center and the Go community in Second Life. We hope that your land in the region will be enjoyable and a source of joy.
— BamBam Sachertorte & Zarf Vantongerloo
June 23rd, 2007