Level-5 warns that harassment of their employees will not be tolerated in new user policy
Professor Layton and Ni no Kuni developer Level-5 published a new “Customer Harassment Policy” on December 12.
In the announcement on their official homepage, Level-5 mention that there have been cases of “excessive criticism, extreme language and behavior” towards their employees. Standing up for their staff, the company asks users to refrain from the following:
• Excessive criticism and unfounded accusations
• Words or actions that may harm Level-5 employees or others
• Language or actions that are defamatory, libelous, slanderous, violent and/or intimidating
• Insulting, discriminatory and/or sexual remarks
• Violations of employees’ portrait rights (i.e. posting photos of someone without their permission)
• Violations of employee’s privacy
• Excessive demands
• Dissemination of false information or rumors as if they were fact
• Use of offensive or extreme thumbnails in video reviews that may mislead viewers about Level-5’s products
Level-5 warn that they will take legal action, including both civil and criminal proceedings, against individuals engaging in the above-described behavior, as well as any other conduct deemed to be malicious by the developer. The company will not hesitate to get the police or other necessary parties involved and will file claims and request for social media accounts to be suspended without prior notice.
At the same time, Level-5 emphasizes that the new Customer Harassment Policy is not meant as a way to discourage fans from expressing criticism towards the company, its games and employees, but rather a reminder to be mindful of how such opinions are expressed.
Earlier this year, Sega filed a lawsuit against an individual who made excessive defamatory and insulting remarks about one of their employees and similarly warned users to heed their Customer Harassment Policy.
