Infraction? Please Advise...

There is a thread where a guy is selling Article Rewrite software that basically plagiarizes other people's work. It's quite popular.

http://forums.digitalpoint.com/showthread.php?p=7069486#post7069486

I posted the following in the thread:

"I just want to warn people buying this software (or software like it) that it will not protect you from plagiarism charges (and potentially hefty fines). These types of software don't create an original article out of someone else's article. They basically *copy* the article, switch some words around and change a few words here or there. To the naked eye, reading both side by side shows clear plagiarism violation. I wouldn't be surprised to see action taken not just against a person using such software, but also against those making it. That's why some of them are now posting the following:

"Disclaimer: We are not responsible for any misuse of this software, user is solely responsible for any plagiarism or copyright infringement."

Just a heads up - know plagiarism laws before using software like this. You are still stealing other people's content."

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So I receive this "Infraction" email from Digital Points that says:

"Dear onlinedating,

You have received an infraction at Digital Point Forums.

Reason: Inappropriate Post/Thread
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Commenting in a sales thread is inappropriate.
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This infraction is worth 1 point(s) and may result in restricted access until it expires. Serious infractions will never expire."

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Can someone please explain the following to me:

1) What is an infraction?
2) Why would I be "penalized" for a helpful comment. Comments in sales threads are the norm.
3) Does Digital Point support the use of article rewriter software that plagiarizes other people's work... even their own?
4) Was it really necessary to assign an infraction for this?

If some of the mods at Digital Point could look into this and get back to me, it would be greatly appreciated. I like these forums and never thought I'd be "demoted" for making a good contribution to the thread.

Thank you, in advance, for any help you can provide.

 

Don't worry about it, some of the stuff the moderators get up to on this forum is priceless. I got an infraction myself, and when I finally found out what it was for I actually almost fell of my chair laughing.

 

Upon further review, I found the rules and nowhere in the rules does it say that "comments in a sales thread are not allowed". If you look at the sales threads there are comments, reviews, etc. throughout.

Therefore I'd like to request that a mod please remove the infraction and talk with the person who provided it.

Here are the rules, all of which I obey:

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The following type posts or combinations of these types of posts typically receive bumping infractions.

1. "Thank you." posts. (Thank you messaages can be put in a PM.)
2. "PM sent." type messages.
3. "Stumbled or Dugg all."
4. Sequential or count down type messages such as the following.

* Sale ends in 5 hours.
* Sale ends in 4 hours.
* ...

or

* Three more slots available.
* Two more slots available.
* One slot available.

5. Still accepting offers/bids. The presumption being as long as thread is open and member has not had thread closed or have statement to that effect the offer is still available. Similar type posts are: Any one?; Any one else?; All links approved, ...
6. Multiple posts in a row where you can still edit the prior post.
7. Posts restating info found in post above or previous posts such as
High bid now $30.
8. Posts giving order status info. (This type info relates to one individual and belongs in a PM)

 

1) What is an infraction?
http://forums.digitalpoint.com/faq.php?faq=dp_faq#faq_infractions

2) Why would I be "penalized" for a helpful comment. Comments in sales threads are the norm.
In your opinion it was 'helpful' but in the opinion of the moderator who gave you the infraction it was not.

3) Does Digital Point support the use of article rewriter software that plagiarizes other people's work... even their own?
DP is not the Internet Police.

4) Was it really necessary to assign an infraction for this?
Yes.
You can also get an infraction for complaining about infractions.

You haven't been 'demoted' - you have been encouraged to abide by the forum rules.