News 2 39 - Snipe

NEWS article 2-39:

Dateline 7/30/2002: SNIPE & CONSENT CLARIFICATIONS: LONG
SNIPE is a zero tolerance ability. If you abuse it, you will lose it.
If the SNIPE ability is used in any UNCONSENTED attack on another player, that is an abuse of the ability. First offense abuse will result in 30 days suspension of the ability. A second abuse will result in permanent (irreversible, non-negotiable) removal of the ability. There will be no appeals. There will be no third offenses.
Use of SNIPE is always subject to GM intervention, regardless of whether or not a player filed REPORT or request for intervention exists. You should therefore always be prepared to provide reliable proof of CONSENT if you are using SNIPE.
If you are attacked, you are operating under implied consent and may use SNIPE to defend yourself. If you are involved in a CHALLENGE or other type of mutually agreed upon spar, then SNIPE may be used when both parties have agreed to it.
If a player is involved in a CvC or PvP incident and you intervene on that player's behalf (be it to lend a GUARD, to HEAL, etc.) you have just placed yourself at risk for retaliation, that is, you have just given CONSENT to the combatants.
There are, however, conditions on this CONSENT.
First, and foremost, that CONSENT lasts ONLY during the course of the immediate situation. It doesn't apply 10 minutes later. It doesn't apply an hour later. It doesn't apply tomorrow. Even if your CONSENT against the victim is still ongoing tomorrow, your CONSENT against his assistance provider is NOT ongoing, unless they become involved again.
Secondly, that CONSENT only applies to persons who were physically there and visible or audible during the incident. If you're in hiding and don't say anything, you do NOT have CONSENT to just pop out of hiding and start attacking. (If this sounds silly, then put yourself in the shoes of the assistance provider, who thinks that they're helping someone with one opponent while unaware of the eight people hiding.)
Yes, an argument can be made that if those eight had CONSENT against the victim, they have CONSENT against the assistance provider. HOWEVER, if you're unaware of someone's presence, you're not making an informed decision, and that MUST have bearing in a situation like this. While it's imperfect, it's the most fair to all involved.