However, my favorite solution is this...
BAN SIGNATURES FOR FORUM MEMBERS WHO HAVE NOT DONATED TO THE FORUM.
Create a new level of donator called the "Supporter" that can be reached with a 2 BTC donation to bitcointalk.
Only Supporters, Donators, & VIPs are then allowed to have signatures. Perhaps with each level carrying different restrictions.
This would bring in a bit of revenue for the forums from anyone who wants to participate in selling advertising on bitcointalk, and raise the cost of running a signature campaign. All this while reducing the spam, spammers, and those who fund them.
BAN SIGNATURES FOR FORUM MEMBERS WHO HAVE NOT DONATED TO THE FORUM.
Create a new level of donator called the "Supporter" that can be reached with a 2 BTC donation to bitcointalk.
Only Supporters, Donators, & VIPs are then allowed to have signatures. Perhaps with each level carrying different restrictions.
This would bring in a bit of revenue for the forums from anyone who wants to participate in selling advertising on bitcointalk, and raise the cost of running a signature campaign. All this while reducing the spam, spammers, and those who fund them.
What happens when one of these supporters does get banned?
They are going to raise hell claiming that the forum ripped them off.
Goat was a VIP who was perma-banned, right? If you are an idiot and get banned, I don't think you can blame anyone but yourself.