Xbox Live 'Gay' Crackdown MIGHT Be Getting A Little Out Of Hand - MS E Options

[Xbox-Scene]

Xbox Live 'Gay' Crackdown MIGHT Be Getting A Little Out Of Hand - MS Explains Posted by XanTium | May 21 13:14 EST | News Category: Xbox360

From kotaku.com.au: [QUOTE] Tonight, we get an email from another Xbox Live user whose gamertag has been barred because it violates XBL policies. The incriminating gamertag? RichardGaywood. The problem here? It's the gamertag of a Mr. Richard Gaywood, a now-disgruntled 360 owner from the UK (and yes, we've confirmed this is his real name). [/QUOTE] *Update* Microsoft Explains "Gaywood" Ban from kotaku.com: [QUOTE] We want the Xbox LIVE community to have the freedom to express themselves, but we also have a responsibility to create an inclusive, safe environment," said Microsoft's Stephen Toulouse. "While it may be clear to some that Gaywood is a legitimate surname, it may not be obvious to other Xbox LIVE members. In this case, a complaint was filed by a member of the community, requiring the Xbox LIVE team to examine the gamertag within the context of the Xbox LIVE Terms of Use. Based on the these guidelines, it was necessary for the gamertag to change." [/QUOTE] Full Story: kotaku.com.au(1) | kotaku.com(2)

[mlapaglia]

i think the ToS says something about having your real name in a gamertag? maybe they are attacking it from that angle

[MrFish]

I bet he's glad he doesn't live in Scunthorpe.

[zX_Storm]

You know, it makes me wonder if he's just calling it out to get publicity for a real ban. Does it tell you why you're banned when you are?

[MrFish]

i think the ToS says something about having your real name in a gamertag? maybe they are attacking it from that angle

In the appended privacy policy it says that you 'should not' use your personal details. 'should not' is a legally distinct term from 'agree not to', 'must not', etc. It's advice from Microsoft, not a binding contractual term. I presume it's there so's when you get stalked, MS can turn round and say 'told you not to; not our fault'. They can't find you in breach of contract for ignoring advisory statements like this.

The only contractual terms dealing with choice of gamertag are:

[user agrees not to] "Create a Gamertag or use text other profile fields[sic] that may offend other members. This includes comments that look, sound like, stand for, hint at, abbreviate, or insinuate any of the following: profane words/phrases, sexually explicit language, sexual innuendo, hate speech (including but not limited to racial, ethnic, or religious slurs), illegal drugs/controlled substances, or illegal activities."

Note that this is the US contract; other regions have different ones, which may be different.

You know, it makes me wonder if he's just calling it out to get publicity for a real ban. Does it tell you why you're banned when you are?

If your console is banned, it gives you a cryptic error code. If you are banned, it just shows you a message saying how long. ( http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/images/20...e847_screen.jpg )

It doesn't just tell you to change your gamertag like the screenshot in the article. Thus I assume he's not banned, but really has been asked to change his gamertag.

[DMAddict]

Still, not as bad a name as Gaylord Focker. This is just stupid now.

[readmore]

His name is Dick Gaywood? seems a little made up to me. But either way I care not. It's a gamertag, I'm sure he'll get over the trauma and years of sleepless nights over the fact that he needs a new tag.

/Yours truly, Mike Hunt

[Z3n0]

makes me think of Bart Simpson calling Moe's tavern.
Here is a link to some great possible gamertags :
http://www.snpp.com/guides/moe_calls.html

[Landlocked]

I'm all for the ban! I don't wanna listen to a bunch of 13-year-olds make fun of him while playing in a live match.

BTW, best gamertag ever seen on XBL: mywifeisfat

How long until fat people object over this cruel TOS violation?

[tummybanana]

surprised no ones kicked off about mine.......tummybanana lol

[disrockerdude]

Richard Gaywood? damn it must've been tough growing up with that name if you know what i mean...

hmmm.. what if my name was Dick Banger? hahahahahahahaha

[MysticalMagnet]

Dick Banger? hahahahahahahaha

haha from What Happens In Vegas which was a really funny movie

anyway wat does it really matter seriously.....

[pingrr]

What is Dick Butkus tried ot use his real name on live. I'm sure that would get banned to. I don't see what the big deal is. Some people pay 800 points to change thier gamertag.

[alfrediio]

i doubt thats his real name...


should be fake

[Johnwinger]

What a nerd!!!!

He deserves to have his Gamertag perma-banned.