>>You're not. Karatechop is being held responsible for his actions.

No, he was given the item by a GM. It's reasonable to expect using something given to you by a GM would not be a bannable offense for the player using it.

GM's don't get fired when we do something wrong on their watch. Why should player's be held to higher standard then Blizzard employees are?

>>He'd not have been punished if he'd just reported the action

Again, why is he responsible for reporting the actions of the GM?
He doesn't give them their paychecks.
He doesn't hire them.
He doesn't train them.
He doesn't know if they are allowed to give someone a god item with a charge limit or not.
He doesn't know *what* a GMs limits are.
Because he's not the GM's supervisor.
Making sure the GM is doing their job right and double checking their work should not be our responsibility. Nor should we be punished for not double checking their work.

Karatechop and his guildmates that were involved should have all gotten the same punishment mechanics exploiters and the like usually get. A *temporary*24-72 hour ban and the gains earned removed from their character(s).

Perma banning him from the game for being unable to resist temptation when it is thrust upon him, unsolicited, by a Blizzard employee makes Blizzard look petty. It's quite obvious they're banning him for the public embarassment his use of the item caused them by exposing the incompetence of the GM as botters, BG AFKers, and other exploiters have caused far more grief for players and the game then this did and they typically receive much lighter punishments for a first offense.