Badge Terms of Service

TL;DR – Be Nice, Don’t Do Illegal Stuff, Enjoy the Event

The Beast in the East Culture

BITE was created to provide an event for people to put names to online faces, grow communities, and discover new ones. In order to make this a possibility, BITE has common sense guide lines for all event attendees to follow. These guide lines may seem redundant, but were established in order to ensure the actions of an individual or group doesn’t disturb the event for another individual or group. We want to maintain our relaxed, accepting environment.

All Are Welcome to the Event

BITE accepts every person who wants to attend the event; however, the event operators reserves the right to deny or revoke the attendance of any individual, at any time, for any reason. This will only be the case when an individual or group is directly interfering with the event and/or attendees experience at the event. This does not mean that the event will take any side or part in a personal disagreement/drama. It is suggested to avoid said individuals and only alert event staff if their actions persist or worsen. Disagreements and drama happen, we expect everyone to act civil and rectify the situations as best they can.

Rules are Subject to Change

BITE also reserves the right to amend these rules at any time without prior or posted notice. If you have any questions, please join our Discord to have direct access to event staff.

All Badge Sales Are Final

There will be no refunds issued for badges once purchased. Badges may be traded once purchased or sold at cost. Please email event@bitegaming.org to request a name change for a badge that you have traded or sold. Any person that is caught attempting to sell badges for over the current badge price may result in banning from the event.

Enter the Event at Your Own Risk

Anyone who accepts a BITE badge agrees to indemnify and hold harmless BITE from any claim for personal injuries or other damages or equity arising out of any individual’s activities at bite, even if such injury or damage is caused by negligence by or on the part of BITE.

Dress to Impress and Remember Hygiene

BITE is an environment where gamers of all ages and lifestyles can enjoy the culture. We expect everyone to be on their best behavior and dress accordingly for the event. You may dress as you want, but the event will not tolerate nudity in any form or fashion. With festivals and cons comes… con stench… Please! Do not forget proper hygiene during the event. There are a ton of hotels near the venue and we highly suggest you get one so you can do so without a hassle. Again event staff reserve the right to make judgement calls on all outfits and hygiene.

Attendance by Minors

BITE is an environment not just for seasoned gamers, but for young gamers looking to enter the culture. We strive to create an atmosphere that is accepting and safe for attendees of all ages. BITE cannot take responsibility for the actions of the individual attendees. Nor will BITE assume responsibility for minors. A minor is defined as a person under 18 years of age who has not been legally emancipated from their parents. All minors must be accompanied by an adult attendee at all times. Not doing so may result in being removed from the event. In the case of not being able to have an adult attendee, minors must have a signed notarized statement indicating parental permission to attend without an escort. In the event of a signed waiver, BITE will assume any responsibility, legal or otherwise, over any minor.

In the event that a minor enters the event under false pretenses or by forging documentation, BITE has no choice but to remand the minor in question immediately to the custody of the local police.

Keep an Eye on Your Stuff

BITE is not responsible for any items you may leave at the event. BITE does accept found lost items at the front desk. This is a public place and you must treat your items as such. Leaving them around may result in them being taken whether it be by accident or not.

Donation to the Event

All donated equipment must be checked in with staff. We will mark your equipment with a tag to make it easier to identify who has what during the event. All donations are done so at the owners own risk. Equipment is subject to public use and may result to normal wear and tear.

BITE reserves the right to inspect all items coming into and out of BITE event areas. BITE is not responsible for the contents of attendees’ systems. BITE may not be held responsible for any equipment damaged or otherwise affected by other attendees’ equipment. BITE also reserves the right to remove any suspicious equipment to preserve the safety of the attendees and equipment.

Sponsors of the Event

Agreeing upon becoming a sponsor/partner of the event you understand that BITE reserves the right to use your image and likeness for advertising and promotional purpose for the event. This includes any digital or analog information, images, logos, or videos associated with your brand.

Weapons at the Event

Prop weapons are welcome but must be checked in with staff promptly upon arrival. Sharp corners, metal rods, or any other elements of weapons that may be dangerous to others will not be allowed. If constructing a prop please err on the side of caution, or contact us ahead of time for approval.

No real weapons, or any item that can be easily mistaken for a weapon, may be carried either openly or concealed at any time in event space, regardless of any concealed carry permits. An exception will be made for folding pocketknives without double-edged blades that are no longer than four inches. If a prop weapon or folding pocketknife is held or used in a threatening way, it will be considered a weapon. On such occasion, a staff member may take any reasonable measures to ensure the continued safety of BITE attendees, which could include remanding the attendee in question immediately to the custody of the local police. These policies are enforced at all times.

Advertising During the Event

BITE has a Discord and Event Facebook page that can be utilized by attendees to post announcements and advertisements. We actually encourage you to do so! Most of our current staff/event activities were spawned from such activities.

Do not affix anything to or write on the walls of the venue or the signs placed by BITE event staff.

Sales of Merchandise

BITE does not permit any sales of merchandise outside of vendor booths at the event. You may request permission from event staff in advanced for any exceptions. Support the event and fellow vendors by purchasing a vendor booth at the event. BITE reserves the right to remove items or vendors from the event based on what they are selling. Please keep it legal people! It is always best to ask event staff in the Discord if you have any questions.

Personal Conduct in Event and Venue Areas

There is no smoking or vaping in any portion of the venue. Our hosts respectfully request that those who step outside to smoke kindly refrain from standing directly in front of any of the entrances, as the smoke is carried inside.

We expect everyone to cooperate fully with BITE staff, venue staff, and any local security or law enforcement personnel. “Disorderly conduct” includes any fighting, any inappropriate horseplay, or any actions that may disturb or disrupt of any event or venue functions. Disorderly conduct may result in revocation of your badge.

Attendees must not attempt to cross any barriers (such as curtains or stanchions) without being accompanied by a BITE staff member. Crossing such a barrier or otherwise entering an area that is off-limits to our attendees may result in suspension of your attendance and removal from the event.

Harassment

BITE is dedicated to providing a safe, welcoming, and harassment-free event experience for everyone. This protection is all-encompassing, and covers all characteristics, including, but not limited to a person’s: sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, color, religion, national origin, age, political affiliation, social aptitude, speech impediments, gaming platform preference, skill in fighting games, or enjoyment of Japanese anime. Anyone from any lifestyle is welcome at BITE, as long as they do not intentionally do any action that hinders the enjoyment of other attendees. Harassment of any kind, including but not limited to: physical assault, sexual assault, sexual harassment, battery, deliberate intimidation, stalking, harassing photography or recording, or unwelcome physical attentions, will not be tolerated.

If a person says “no” or asks you to leave them alone, you must do so. Do not follow them or attempt to disrupt their event experience in any way. If you continue to provide unwelcome attention to another attendee, you may have your badge revoked without refund, you may be removed from the premises, and you may be barred from attending future BITE events. Please understand that, regardless of whether the behavior in question amounts to a violation of the law, it may be considered harassment and a violation of this policy.

If an individual stalks, harasses, or attempts to assault you at a BITE event, please report that individual to a member of the event staff as soon as possible, and appropriate action will be taken. If you witness harassment occurring, please encourage the victim to report it to event staff.

This prohibition against harassment applies to not only attendees, but also everyone employed by BITE, volunteer staff, and venue employees. All attendees should feel as though they can report harassment regarding any person associated with BITE, regardless of that person’s position. No retaliation by BITE employees or volunteer staff will be tolerated.

BITE staff will be happy to help participants contact venue security or local law enforcement, provide escorts, or otherwise assist those experiencing harassment to feel safe at BITE.

Any and all information relating to the victim’s claim of harassment will be treated by BITE as confidential unless otherwise required by law, overriding public health and safety concerns, or authorized by the parties in question.

We are not responsible for mediating any interpersonal problems that arose between individual attendees outside of our events. Thus, we can take no action to prevent a person from attending the event unless that person has made a specific and credible threat toward the event itself. If you feel that a threat exists against your person, we advise you to seek a restraining order against the individual in question and to present it to our Discord in a private message to a founder. If you obtain a restraining order against someone prior to the event and you know that they are attending the event, please provide this information to us so that we may prevent the other person from registering and attending. If you are unable to obtain a restraining order, we recommend avoiding that individual, and reporting them to event staff if they violate this harassment policy during the event so that appropriate action may be taken. Conversely, any attempt to have an innocent person removed from the event by falsely accusing them will be treated as an act of harassment and dealt with appropriately. The responsibility for settling interpersonal disputes lies solely with the individuals involved. BITE will not tolerate being used as a leveraging point in such disputes.

Substance Abuse

The sale or distribution of any illegal or controlled substances is prohibited at BITE. Any individual found distributing such substances will be removed and reported directly to the local authorities. BITE asks that alcoholic beverages be consumed in the privacy of a hotel room and not taken into any event spaces.

Please note an important caveat involving minors: Anyone knowingly or unknowingly providing alcohol or aiding others in providing alcohol to anyone under the age of 21 will be guilty of a felony and will be turned over to the local authorities. It is the sole responsibility of persons serving alcohol in room parties to ensure that every person in attendance is over the age of 21, regardless of whether the host or any party attendees are drinking alcohol. Anyone caught drinking under the age of 21 is guilty of a Class 1 Misdemeanor and may be penalized harshly. No alcohol may be consumed in the BITE venue.

Video and Audio and Media Relations

For the purposes of this section BITE denotes any private happenings as all concerts, panels, movies, tournaments, game rooms, and any other events or areas only open to attendees with valid badges. The term “recording” means any media capturing medium or devices, audio, visual, or otherwise.

You, the videographer, retain full copyright rights to the recordings you shoot but not to the content contained within BITE. BITE grants you, the videographer, a creative commons share-alike non-commercial attribution license to any recordings you make at or of BITE. Uses beyond this license require permission from BITE. You agree to grant BITE a non-exclusive, sub-licensable irrevocable, perpetual, and universal license to use, distribute, perform and/or to incorporate your video in other works in any form, media, or technology, including for-profit use. For any other terms of use or licensing please see creative commons by-nc-sa 3.0.

BITE attendees may be photographed or otherwise recorded by other attendees. By accepting a BITE badge, you are consenting to having your image published. If you prefer not to have your picture taken, please inform BITE staff. If anyone continues to photograph or record you against your will, it will be treated as harassment (see above).

BITE permits (and encourages) attendees to share photographs of their event experience on personal web pages. Video and audio recordings, however, are subject to the above provisions. Parties interested in making recordings or performances for public interest uses should contact the founders on the BITE Discord.

Photographs and Promotional Material

Participants at BITE events are granting their permission to be photographed or recorded by authorized BITE individuals. By purchasing your badge, you inherently grant BITE permission to use such images or footage for archival or promotional purposes. If you do not wish to grant this permission, please inform BITE staff.

Accepted Payments at BITE

BITE accepts cash and credit card payments. We will attempt to resolve any dispute involving a credit card payment to BITE following the tenets of good faith and fair dealing. Charge-backs (denying payment to a credit card company for a specific charge) that are made for the sole purpose of avoiding payment, made without sufficient cause, or that are made without first attempting to resolve the dispute with BITE may result in permanent revocation of attendance privileges and possible legal action. Attendees who have an outstanding balance due to BITE must settle that balance before being permitted to attend the festival.

BITE will not be involved in any financial disputes between individual attendees, and cannot divulge information about an individual attendee to any party other than to banking officials or legal authorities acting on a legal order.

Common Sense Section

The standards of conduct for BITE will be strictly enforced by BITE staff. Please remember that your badges are property of BITE for the duration of the event, and must be presented and/or surrendered to any Staff member requesting it. If you have any problem with any action taken by a Staff member you may take the matter to the Discord and private message a Founder. We make every attempt to be fair but we cannot tolerate behavior that threatens the peace and well-being of our attendees or event.

BITE accepts no liability for actions of any kind taken by individuals in the confines of private hotel rooms. Anyone intending to host a party is strongly suggested to check for BITE badges on partygoers, and to deny entrance to any person who is not a member of the event. Responsibility for incidents occurring in hotel guest rooms rests solely upon the individual in whose name the room is rented. This includes payment for any and all damage, whether caused intentionally or unintentionally (such as being so intoxicated you crash and break several bathroom fixtures, please don’t). Please note that if BITE is provided with sufficient evidence to suggest that illegal activities, particularly those that may cause harm to another person or to the well-being of the event as a whole, will be taking place in a hotel room, we have both a civic and a moral responsibility to report such information to the appropriate authorities.

All applicable local, state, and federal laws must be obeyed while in attendance at BITE.

Please be reminded that these rules involve, of course, “worst-case” scenarios and are put into place to ensure the safety and comfort of our attendees. We appreciate that our attendees as a whole are rational, responsible, and respectful individuals, but recognize that there are exceptions. BITE is prepared to deal with any or all of the above scenarios in as rapid and efficient a manner as possible should they occur. We thank our attendees for their past cooperation and for their continued assistance in making this a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone. Have fun – just please be courteous of those around you.

Hey you made it to the end eh? You should ping @Blankman in the Discord and tell him this page wasn’t a huge waste of time. He would be impressed someone combed through this entire book.