Code of Conduct

This is the code of conduct for the Association of Free Traders ("the AFT" or "the Association"), as laid out by the AFT Council ("the Council"). Each individual or company which is a member of the Association (a "Member") is expected to abide by this code of conduct ("the Code").

Independence

• Each Member is independent, and may arrange their own deals and speak freely at all times and to all audiences, subject only to the constraints of this Code.
• Each member has the freedom to earn money in any way that they are able, as long as they stick to the ethos of the Association and to this Code.
• Certain starbases have been designated by the Council as HQ starbases. These starbases should thus provide resources for other Members and for the Association as a whole, as well as for the Member currently running the starbase.
• Apart from HQ starbases, each Member and its constituent starships, ground parties, starbases and personnel may choose to treat interactions with other Members no differently from their interactions with outside parties.
• The Council will not interfere with the dealings of Members except in situations where the conduct of one Member might damage the reputation of the Association as a whole, or adversely affect another Member in an unfair fashion.
• The Association does not dictate any moral, religious or other principles to its members, save those contained in this Code.

Trust

• Members are expected to uphold the reputation and ideals of the Association.
• Every client is entitled to complete confidentiality with regards to their dealings with the AFT.
• Once a trade deal has been agreed, it should be completed. The Council will, except in exceptional circumstances, guarantee all agreed contracts, and hence will take action against Members who default on their contracts.
• The AFT Council strongly recommends that all Members obey the local laws relevant to the area of space in which they are operating. Members found breaking such laws cannot expect the support of the Council, and in severe cases may be further disciplined by the Council.
• Information which is not available to the general public should not be made available freely to any party outside the Association. Information which is not generally available, but which is not restricted by any party, may be treated as a commodity suitable for trade. If in doubt about the status of any information, please contact the Council.

Neutrality

• The Association is not a nation and has no political goals. The Association aims to work for the benefit of its Members, to help each to make a profit.
• While individual Members may have their own views, the Association as a whole is neutral. It will not take sides in conflicts amongst other races, nations, or companies, and will trade with all, whatever their race or allegiance (or, indeed, their relations with other trading partners of the AFT).
• The Association and its Members will respect the rights, beliefs, customs, rituals and cultural principles of ALL its trading partners.
• The sole exception to the rule of neutrality is that the Association will take a strong stance against pirates.
• The AFT encourages all sentient beings to settle all disputes in a peaceful manner, and the Council will act as an independent and impartial arbitrator if requested. However, the AFT will not become entangled in disputes between other nations or races when the Association's presence has not been requested.

Pirates

• For the purposes of this code, pirates are considered to be any position which:
• attacks any AFT position without strong justification; or,
• takes goods or other assets from any Member without that Member's consent.
• Piracy is considered to be the obtaining of assets by force, without the owner's consent.
• The Association and its Members deal in legitimate trade of goods, services and occasionally technology and information. Members shall not commit acts of piracy, and shall not in any way trade with or support known pirates.
• The Association and its Members shall not commit military actions, except for the purposes of defence or combating piracy.
• The Council recommends that all AFT starbases with sufficient ground/space defences should take all necessary action to combat the pirate threat, by firing on any known pirates.