This Code of Conduct for Builders (the "Builder Code") sets out the standards of conduct applicable to Builders ("you", "your", or "Builder") participating in the Builder program (the "Builder Program") via the Builder Center at https://msu.io/builder operated by Nexpace (the "Company", "we", or "our"). This Builder Code defines behavioural expectations to maintain fairness, transparency, and trust across the MapleStory Universe ecosystem. This Builder Code applies in addition to, and shall be read together with, the Builder Terms of Use, the MSU API Terms, and any other applicable Company policies or technical requirements for Builders. Any term not defined herein shall have the meaning given to it in the Builder Terms of Use. This Builder Code may be updated or amended from time to time, and it is your responsibility as a Builder to review and comply with the most current version available on the Builder Center or other official MSU communication channels. 

1. Purpose 

This Builder Code establishes the principles and behavioural standards applicable to all Builders participating in the Builder Program operated by the Company.  The purpose of this Builder Code is to maintain integrity, fairness, and trust within the MapleStory Universe ecosystem by ensuring that all Builders act ethically, transparently, and in compliance with applicable laws and Company policies. 

This Code applies to all activities conducted through or in connection with the Builder Center, including but not limited to the use of APIs, smart contracts, Synergy App operations, and reward or settlement processes. 

2. Core Rules 

2.1. All Builders must comply with this Builder Code, the Builder Terms of Use, the MSU API Terms, and any policies or technical requirements communicated by the Company. Violation of any of the following rules may, without prior notice, result in restrictions, penalties, suspension, or termination of your participation in the Builder Program or your use of the Builder Center, up to and including permanent exclusion from the Builder Program. 

Rule 1 – Builders must act in full compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies, including those relating to digital assets, verification requirements such as KYC/KYB, and data protection obligations. 

Rule 2 – Builders must not engage in any activity that violates applicable laws, including but not limited to money laundering, terrorist financing, fraud, market manipulation, tax evasion, sanctions violation, unlicensed financial services or unauthorized financial promotions. 

Rule 3 – Builders must not use the Builder Program, the Builder Center, or any related services to facilitate prohibited or restricted activities listed in the Builder Terms of Use. Prohibited or restricted activities include, but are not limited to: 

(i) Illegal gambling, drug trafficking, firearm sales, weapons sales, financial crime, human trafficking, child exploitation; 

(ii) Infringement of third-party intellectual property rights, privacy rights, or likeness rights; 

(iii) Impersonation of individuals or organizations, dissemination of false or misleading information, or fraud; 

(iv) Content or activity involving extreme violence, sexual exploitation, graphic or obscene material, bullying, or any form of harassment, including hate speech and discriminatory conduct; 

(v) Unauthorized scraping, data mining, or exfiltration of data or content, including extraction of personal user information or database content outside of permitted API functionality; 

(vi) Malware distribution, phishing, or cyberattacks; 

(vii) Spam, unsolicited advertising, or transmission of unwarranted communications; 

(viii) Use of bots, automation, or technical exploits to manipulate metrics, gain unfair advantages, or circumvent system safeguards; and 

(ix) Any conduct or activity that would otherwise be prohibited by applicable law. 

Rule 4 – Builders may not use the Builder Program to develop or operate products or services that infringe or misappropriate third-party intellectual property rights, including without limitation copyrights, trademarks, patents, trade secrets, or database rights, or that infringe on rights of privacy or publicity. Where a Builder uses third-party assets or intellectual property, the Builder must ensure proper authorization or licensing. 

Rule 5 – Builders must not misuse tokens or their use of the Builder Center, the Builder Program or related technologies and services. This includes, but is not limited to: (1) creating false user accounts or operating multiple Builder accounts to circumvent restrictions or manipulate activity; (2) artificially inflating engagement metrics through bots, fake user activity, or any form of automated interaction; (3) engaging in or facilitating wash trading or coordinated artificial volume generation; (4) employing Sybil attacks to gain disproportionate rewards or influence; (5) exploiting vulnerabilities or abusing functionality in smart contracts, APIs, or settlement mechanisms; and (6) conducting any activity that could be deemed to improperly manipulate on-blockchain economics, demand, or reward structures. 

Rule 6 – Builders must not engage in price manipulation or conduct that distorts token markets. Builders shall provide accurate and transparent information to end users, shall not engage in deceptive, false, or misleading conduct, and shall not make guarantees of financial returns regarding tokens. 

Rule 7 – Builders shall report any bugs, vulnerabilities, or security concerns, especially those that may expose Company systems or end users to harm or unauthorized access. Builders may not exploit bugs or security vulnerabilities for personal gain or advantage. Builders are encouraged to disclose such issues responsibly to the Company, or otherwise in accordance with the terms of the Builder Program. 

Rule 8 – Builders must maintain high-quality standards. Builders must not create or operate services or applications of low or malicious quality, including applications characterized by phishing attempts, hidden fees or charges not disclosed to end-users, exploitative mechanics or practices, or deliberate misinformation designed to mislead end-users or the Company. Builders must not operate applications or services that are likely to be characterized as scams or frauds. 

Rule 9 – Builders may not use bots, automation tools, or other techniques to artificially inflate user metrics (such as likes, comments, views, impressions, NFT volume, or in-app traffic) or to fabricate social proof of activity on their Builder Centre profile or related assets. Any engagement must reflect genuine user interest and must not be driven by paid engagements, purchased likes, or other manipulative tactics. 

Rule 10 – Builders must not engage in activity that is intended to harm or disparage other Builders, other builders' Synergy Apps, users of Synergy Apps, other users of any other Builder Program or Builder Center services, or the Company. Builders shall not engage in coordinated harassment or libellous attacks, nor shall they spread rumours or misinformation designed to degrade competitors or other participants, or otherwise damage the reputation or success of others. 

Rule 11 – Builders must ensure that all metadata, including titles, descriptions, artwork, and marketing materials, accurately represents the content and functionality of their offerings. Misleading metadata, clickbait titles, or deceptive imagery intended to inflate engagement through misrepresentation are strictly prohibited. 

Rule 12 – Builders may not impersonate any party. Builders may not adopt usernames, brand names, or visual identities that are confusingly similar to those of established projects, influencers, companies, Builders, or other entities, including the Company. Using names intended to mislead users into believing they are interacting with affiliated persons or an established brand (e.g., "Official XYZ Protocol," "Team ABC Foundation") is not permitted.  

Rule 13 – Builders must not collude with other Builders to gain unfair rewards, manipulate rankings or engagement metrics, or artificially inflate or deflate marketplace activity including, but not limited to, tokenomics, Synergy Apps or assets. Coordinated vote brigading, cross-promotional schemes that constitute wash trading or artificial engagement inflation, circular arrangements to siphon rewards, or other collusive strategies undermine the integrity of the Builder Program and are prohibited. Builders may organically co-promote or partner on legitimate collaborative projects, but such partnerships must be conducted transparently and without deception. 

Rule 14 – Builders must maintain the integrity of the off-chain and on-chain system operated by the Company. Builders must not engage in any behaviour that damages, impedes, or manipulates settlement processes, API endpoints, reward structures, smart contract logic, or any related off-chain or on-chain infrastructure provided by the Company. This includes, but is not limited to, exploiting race conditions, creating loopholes in smart contracts or reward mechanisms, spamming endpoints to disrupt operations, and circumventing security measures, restrictions, or verification processes required by the Company or applicable regulations. 

Rule 15 – Builders must clearly disclose any use of third-party intellectual property, assets, or collaborations when publishing or promoting Synergy Apps or related content. Misrepresentation or omission of authorship or ownership information is strictly prohibited. 

Rule 16 – Builders may use the Company's trademarks, logos, or other branding materials only in accordance with the official MSU Branding Guidelines. Unauthorized, misleading, or derivative uses of the Company's intellectual property are strictly prohibited.  

3. Scams and Security Awareness 

3.1 Builders are responsible for protecting themselves and their users from scams and malicious actors. 

3.2 Never disclose API Keys, wallet credentials, or sensitive user information publicly. 

3.3 Always verify communications claiming to be from the Company in advance. 

3.4 Immediately report suspected scams or fraudulent communications to contact_builder@nexpace.io.  

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