First off, a happy new year to all our forum members!
Over the last few weeks, there has been some confusion on what constitutes a [COMMERCIAL] topic and how it should be handled. The following should clarify most issues, I hope, but if you have any questions, feel free to reply to this thread.
Now then, what is a COMMERCIAL topic (i.e. one required to use the [COMMERCIAL] tag in the topic title)?If a member wants to open a thread on a subject in which he or she has a personal vested interest in, he or she must use the [COMMERCIAL] tag to signify that he or she is commercially involved with the issue. Examples include:
- The opening of a new company providing hobby products or services
- The opening of an online store
- Any special deals or events designed to promote the sale of your products or services
- Specific product releases for your hobby company
Next, which kind of topic goes where?
- Any specific product release (e.g. figures, rulebooks, scenario publications) are to be placed on the most suitable thematic/period board. So, any fantasy figures news should be posted on the Fantasy Board.
- Any general news (deals, events etc.) to promote your company and/or products should go on the Commercial Board.
- Any product news which are suitable to multiple periods should be either posted on the most appropriate thematic board or may be posted on the Commercial Board.
- Any product news for tools, paints and other related hobby supplies are to be posted on the Commercial Board.
If you directly post items like battle reports, free scenarios and army lists
which do not require the reader to make a purchase or to register on an external site, YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED to use the [COMMERCIAL] tag. Still, it is an act of courtesy and avoids any misleading situations if you put in a reference to your personal involvement with any company or product. If there is a direct Commercial aspect involved (e.g. a link to new products in your online store), then you must use the [COMMERCIAL] tag.
A final note: If the moderating team adds a [COMMERCIAL] tag to a topic title of yours, DO NOT REMOVE THIS yourself. Please contact the board moderator or the Global Moderator Westfalia Chris via PM if you consider the [COMMERCIAL] tag to be inapplicable and we will reconsider the issue.Please remember that any member is free to advertise their product in good faith and free of charge on the LAF. We do not request you to contribute to the forum maintenance, and we actively encourage users to share news on product releases interesting to the community. We do, however, require you to indicate any vested commercial interest to differentiate these from free, community-created work and to avoid any misunderstanding and potential disputes.