Disputes

From time to time users might perform actions considered to be in violation of the economy rules. For example, a particular user might record work that another user believes was not actually performed, or the output of that work was never made available for purchase via Rovas. In cases like these, users can start a formal process called dispute, that might lead to penalization of the offender.

To file a dispute, follow these steps:

1. Contact the violator by sending him/her a message with request to clarify or remedy the violation voluntarily. Only if this step fails, continue with the next steps.
2. Submit a dispute. The dispute form asks for the accused, the object of complaint identified by its ID (Work report ID or Project ID shown on the document page), and a description of the charge.
3. Upon saving the form, Rovas changes certain application privileges for and notifies the accused about the new situation. For the duration of the dispute process he or she will not be able to file new own projects, open disputes, e.t.c.
4. Both parties are encouraged to invite Trusted users to support their positions. Disputes are decided by counting Trusted users in each camp; the camp with more Trusted users wins. Both parties can solicit support for three days (72 hours) after the accused acknowledges the dispute.
5. If the accused remedies the complaint within 24 hours, the dispute is normally closed without penalties.
6. If the accused remedies the complaint after 24 hours but before three days, the dispute is closed and the accused's Merit score is set to 0.
7. If the accused does not remedy the complaint, after three days Rovas counts Trusted users in each camp. If the accused loses, Rovas applies the lost-dispute penalty (Merit score wiped, reduced privileges) and removes the object of complaint.
8. If the accused's camp wins, or the dispute ends in a tie, the dispute is closed and no party is penalized.
9. If the accused already has two prior disputes that did not end in a win or a tie (for example they were rectified or the accused lost), then on this third such dispute they receive the lost-dispute punishment even if they remedy the complaint.