Hmmm... interesting read and take on the situation at hand. I see an apology, which in and of itself was unexpected, however, I am wondering why [if] the fact that the result of the initial lockout was because of "conduct" then why wasn't this initially mentioned when it was first proposed? All of us, merchants removed and merchants who've stayed, were given the impression by Tim's original statement in the Merchant forum, that this was the result of [paraphrasing here so as not to have this post deleted but could post the actual quotes if permitted] being a solid business decision to keep other merchants who own outside sites from "sensitive" information that could otherwise harm the growth of the RMP and Renderosity's end line. That this whole fiasco was the result of shutting out the competition in order to maximize profits and prevent the smaller sites from obtaining any valuable date regarding Curious Labs/Egi-Sys' Content Para... [grits teeth]..dise before becoming suckered into a contract of kissing their collective butts, "provide substantial advertising for Content Paradise" and "refrain from knownly participating in conversations that could cast Curious Labs/Egi-Sys in unfavoriable light, while associated with Content Paradise". [sorry, could only grit them for so long folks]. Now... now we learn that the whole truth of the matter was the result of poor conduct taking place in the Merchant Forums? Understandable and I certainly agree with the fact that there should be a level of conduct maintained in that forum. While a merchant for Renderosity, I've seen several conversations about certain members of this site and others that had no baring whatsoever on the RMP or the function of the Online Store. I, like some other seasoned Forum-vets, avoided those conversations and threads. So, I heartily agree, a code of conduct SHOULD by all means be employed in that area, so that some of the "personal attacks" that have been occuring in there END. The fact of the matter is this, whatever the true reasons were for the decisions to oust merchants were, many of them had been [we now apparently learn] was the result of some misconduct occuring within that forum. I'd very much would like to see how merchants such as DTHUREGRIF, IRONBEAR and many others had performed misconduct within that forum to warrant their removal. Obviously, without a clear code for conduct having been previously established prior to their removal they were not and should not, for all intents and purposes, be held responsible for any conduct that could be construed as unbecoming without having those codes firmly outlined to them. So your apology should be unilateral and the reinstatement of all individuals who were removed, should they still desire to be merchants within the RMP, should be immediately reinstated and allowed access to those tools and forum with a clear and concise explanation of Renderosity's Code of Conduct and Ethics for the RMP. Furthermore, whether the merchant provides product through Renderosity's marketplace, either through digital download or through mail order, they are REGARDLESS still considered merchants. Obviously, this "new" clause may be the result on the basis that DAZ late last year, around the same time that Renderosity was preparing to "partner" with Content Paradise, was removed from the merchant forum. Folks, a merchant is a merchant is a merchant. If you sell product on Renderosity, though whatever means, you are still considered a MERCHANT on Renderosity. ALL MERCHANTS regardless of method of transaction here on Renderosity should be treated equally and fairly. Consignments given or taken based upon transactional business or through affiliations is unfair. If the store deems that product worthy for being in their store and begin transactions in the sale of those products, than that merchant should receive the same benefits that everyone else has. And until Renderosity decides to start charging or getting paid for Shelf space or higher traffic/increased advertising, everyone SHOULD be treated equally and fairly. I also think that any Code of Conduct that is to be levied on the Merchants, should also be made public in order for future Merchants to be aware of the Code of Conduct prior to submitting to the RMP. Anywhohow, that's just my thoughts on this. I'll be very interested to see how Renderosity will be able to re-install trust with the individuals that they shitcanned in an attempt to prevent "misconduct" in the Merchant's Forum and how many merchants will actually return... if any. Jack