Code of conduct
Official rules for visitors at Torucon eventsLast updated March 4, 2025Children must be accompanied by an adult
Tickets
Behavior
Alcohol & Stimulants
Tobacco
Free Hugs
Cosplay is Not Consent
Photography and filming
Dining photos and other unflattering images
Consent/Privacy
Costumes
Military uniforms and similar
Costumes that mimic vulnerable ethnic groups
Sexualized costumes, clothing and nudity
Props - also known as "weapon rules"
Large props (and costumes)
Impact weapons, knife replicas etc.
Gun replicas etc.
Anything defined as illegal under Norwegian law
§ 9. Prohibition against weapons or similar that do not fall within the scope of the Weapons Act § 1
§ 23. Acquisition of air and feather weapons
Exceptions
Consequences
Disclaimer
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Children aged 0-12 years must be accompanied by an adult at Torucon events.
We have experienced small children being left unattended at events with 2,000 visitors, and we believe this is not safe. We have guards and medics watching and taking care of people as best they can, but we don't have enough staff to actively monitor everyone at the same time. Someone the children know needs to be present to take responsibility for their safety, wellbeing and that they follow our rules of conduct.
Tickets
Visitors are responsible for bringing tickets to the events. This also applies after the ticket has been read. If someone has forgotten their ticket, they must have some form of identification with name and photo to be admitted, and the name must match what is written on the ticket.
Visitors are also responsible for ensuring that their wristband ticket does not break during the event. They are made to last a few days and should withstand showering, so they should not break on their own.
If the wristband still breaks, do not throw it away! New bands will only be issued if the torn band is returned.
Behavior
Alcohol/stimulants
Torucon is a 100% alcohol-free event. Alcohol and other intoxicants are not allowed on our site. Violation of this rule will result in expulsion from the area.
If anyone appears to be intoxicated or brings stimulants into Torucon's area, we ask that you contact a security guard or other crew member.
Tobacco
It is also not permitted to smoke tobacco (or anything else) on Torucon's premises. We ask that visitors who smoke do not do so outside the entrance or at the air intakes to the stage.
Snuff is allowed, but please dispose of snuff in the trash, not on the ground or in the premises.
Free Hugs
It's been a few years since the Free Hugs campaign took the con world by storm (in more ways than one). One of our slogans is "Hugs is King", so we love hugs, and we think it's great that so many people want to give them out. However, not everyone likes hugs. Therefore, anyone who wants to walk around with a Free Hugs sign or similar must ask permission before giving someone a hug. We also encourage you to let others come to you; do not follow people to give them hugs, especially if they express that they do not want a hug.
Cosplay is Not Consent
In the sea of costumes that appear at Torucon, there are both the more covered costumes and also the slightly less covered ones. No matter what kind of costume someone is wearing, or what kind of clothes they are wearing, all visitors to Torucon should respect each other's privacy and intimate zones.
We have zero tolerance for sexual harassment. Don't make lewd comments, don't touch others without their permission, don't take pictures of people from inappropriate angles (unless they've given you clear permission and they're in on it themselves).
Also ask permission before putting on someone's costume or props. Some costumes make it difficult to see (e.g. fursuits) and it can be uncomfortable when someone you can't see puts on your costume. Some costumes don't hold up very well, and it's unpleasant when you have to buy new costume parts or make something completely new because someone else "just had to put it on", especially since some cosplayers spend a lot of time and money on their costumes and props.
Do not touch people's wheelchairs or other mobility aids without permission. This can be very uncomfortable for the person concerned. Be considerate and do not block roadways, doors, etc. so that wheelchairs, strollers and large suits cannot pass.
Even if you don't like the character someone else is cosplaying, or the medium they are cosplaying from, it's not okay to let it get to the cosplayer. This is considered harassment and incitement, and is behavior we don't want at Torucon.
Cosplay is for everyone! Do not comment on people's appearance, body or choice of character. Harassing and derogatory comments are never okay, and we have zero tolerance for such behavior.
Photography and filming
Dining pictures and other unflattering images
If you are filming or taking pictures during Torucon events, please try to avoid taking pictures of people without telling us first. If you take pictures of someone in the middle of a conversation, while they are eating, etc. the result is often embarrassing, and many people will be uncomfortable with such pictures being shown to others.
Most people want to look as good as possible in photos, and are happy to pose if asked nicely. We therefore encourage everyone to give cosplayers and others the opportunity to pose, or in other ways get ready to be photographed or filmed, before photos or films are taken.
Consent/Privacy
Norwegian law requires everyone to ask for permission before publishing photos or videos. For minors, i.e. anyone under the age of 18, permission is also required from their parents or guardians. If the minor has reached the age of 15, they can still give their own permission to be photographed or filmed. You must also ask for permission to publish the images online, regardless of whether it is on social media, on a closed website, on your own profile, etc.
We expect all our visitors to respect the laws and regulations that exist in this area.
Read more about privacy in connection with images and the like on the Norwegian Data Protection Authority's website: https://www.datatilsynet.no/rettigheter-og-plikter/internett-og-apper/bilder-pa-nett/
Costumes
Military uniforms and similar
Military insignia from 1900 onwards are not allowed at Torucon's events. This means that guests with replicas of real uniforms and the like will have to cover or remove medals, badges and other symbols from this period.
If we receive complaints from guests or outsiders about military insignia from before 1900, we will also be able to ask the person in question to remove or cover them up.
Costumes that mimic vulnerable ethnic groups
Torucon's events are open to everyone. We recognize that costumes that mimic different ethnic groups using, among other things, makeup (known as "race face") can be offensive to many people for various reasons, and this is therefore not allowed. An example of "race face" is applying dark makeup to cosplay Esmeralda from The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
It is difficult to define exactly what crosses the line here, so we ask everyone to use common sense. We reserve the right to exercise discretion and will ask people to wash off any makeup if deemed necessary. Failure to comply will result in the usual sanctions.
Sexualized costumes, clothing and nudity
Sexualized costumes or clothing are not allowed. Whether a costume or item of clothing is considered sexualized does not depend on how appropriate it is, but on context such as origin (the significance of the costume in a book, film, series, etc.), details associated with pornography (BDSM, bondage, "fetish gear", etc.), etc.
As a minimum, we require that you cover as much of your body at all times as it would be natural to do in a swimming pool or similar.
Props (props)
Also known as "Weapons rules"Basically, most props are allowed at Torucon's events. If you use common sense, you will almost always be allowed into our events with your props. However, we do have some guidelines for what we do not want people to bring to our events. These are mainly things that have the potential to cause major damage.
We would like to emphasize that these are basically intended as guidelines. If any of this seems unclear, just send us an inquiry via the contact form on the website, or a message on our Facebook page.
The security guards at our events have the final say on what is allowed in. Therefore, please note that even if we say that your prop seems OK based on your description or pictures you have sent us in advance, our guards may still refuse to let you bring it in. You will then have to leave it with our guards until you go home again.
Large props (and costumes)
Many visitors have large costumes and props. We have no restrictions on how large these can be, but ask everyone to be aware of their surroundings so as not to damage other people or their belongings.
Impact weapons, knife equations etc.
We do not allow heavy props that are suitable as impact weapons. By this we mean things like bats, bokken (wooden training sword) and the like. Other props will be allowed even if they are heavy, if they are considered unsuitable as weapons (Cloud Strife's wooden "Buster Sword", for example).
Regardless of whether the prop is heavy or light, we will not allow sharp or pointed metal props. By this we mean things like knives, swords, machetes and the like, regardless of whether it is only an imitation (a replica, or so-called "wallhanger"), and regardless of whether the edge is sharpened.
Pistol equations etc.
We do not allow functional, realistic imitations of pistols, rifles or similar. This also includes air guns, soft guns and the like that are modeled after real firearms, or that are designed in such a way that they could easily be mistaken for a real weapon by others.
Toy weapons and prop weapons that clearly appear to be fake, either because they are made of brightly colored plastic or because they have an unrealistic shape (e.g. "The Needler" from the Halo universe) are permitted. If these are functional - shooting foam projectiles, plastic balls, etc. - they must be empty of ammunition, and it must be possible to remove the magazine to show that it has been emptied. Ammunition must not be brought to the event.
Props that fall under the previous paragraph, which are not brightly colored (e.g. green or yellow plastic), must be marked with a brightly colored stripe around the muzzle of the weapon (orange or equivalent) to make it clear that the weapon is not genuine. This can be done either by painting the prop or by using colored tape.
All props with movable triggers must be strapped so that the trigger is locked in one position. Colored zip ties can also be used here.
Anything defined as illegal under Norwegian law
Naturally, we do not allow props that are prohibited to own or possess in public under Norwegian law or regulations. Here are some excerpts from the Regulations on firearms, weapon parts and ammunition etc.
Read the entire Weapons Regulations here: https://lovdata.no/dokument/SF/forskrift/2009-06-25-904
§ Section 9 Prohibition against weapons or similar that do not fall within the scope of section 1 of the Weapons Act
It is prohibited to acquire, own or possess electroshock weapons, pepper spray and other means of self-defense with similar effect, switchblades, batanga knives, stilettos, fighting gloves, batons, karate sticks, throwing stars, blowpipes for launching arrows or other objects, slingshots or other similar particularly dangerous objects without a legitimate purpose and which appear to be products of violence.
§ Section 23 Acquisition of air and feather weapons
Section 29, first and second paragraphs of the Weapons Act on the 18-year age limit applies correspondingly to the transfer of air and spring weapons, including gas-powered air weapons, paintball guns and air soft guns.
Exceptions
If you need your prop for a competition (e.g. the Cosplay & Craftmanship competition at Torucon), we allow you to bring your prop on stage and for pre-judging etc. but it must be returned as soon as you have finished.
If you think your prop may be refused entry and you know you need it for a competition, please let us know in advance. We can also arrange for this so that you can notify us at the same time as you register for the competition.
We cannot refuse to allow you to take confiscated props out of the event area, even if you plan to return later. You will then have to return the prop in order to be allowed back into the event. However, we strongly advise against going out in public with props that may scare passers-by, such as realistic weapon imitations, as this may lead to reactions from the police. We do not take responsibility for what visitors do outside our events, but we also rely on good cooperation with the police and do not want to be seen in a bad light by them.
Consequences
If visitors do not follow our rules or otherwise behave in an unacceptable manner, we may impose appropriate sanctions (penalties). This may, for example, be that the visitor is denied participation in a competition, or that they are disqualified from the competition afterwards, it may be exclusion from the event, or, as an ultimate consequence, that the visitor is denied access to our future events.
The consequences will be determined on a case-by-case basis depending on the nature and severity of the violation. In the vast majority of cases, sanctions will only be imposed after one or more warnings, if the visitor does not respect the warnings and comply with them.
Disclaimer
Torucon does not take responsibility for damage or similar caused by our visitors. If a visitor commits vandalism, we will forward any claim for compensation to the visitor. Similarly, if a visitor does not follow our guidelines for props and it triggers a reaction from the police, we will not take responsibility for any fines.
Outside the event area, visitors are responsible for themselves in all respects.