The reasons for the "Great Split"[3] as it came to be called, included: Many IRCnet servers state that "IRC is a privilege, not a right".

That defines the characteristics of network usage ‒ users are normally not permitted to run bots and should avoid abusive behaviour.

[5] Servers are generally open to users from their geographic locations and do not allow outside connections, however, there are a few open exceptions allowing access to users not covered by any local server.

[6] Strict rules are operated for shell providers regulating, limiting or banning their connections.

[10] To fight nickname collisions when splits occur on re-link IRCnet will use unique IDs.