Rules - to follow or not to follow, that is the question

[Don Wright]

I just have a general question.

We (469) are very strict when we design and make our robots to make sure we follow each and every rule to the letter.

However, it gets interesting when we go to competitions and we very clearly see robots (even by very well known and admired teams) that violate this rule. Most of the time it's rules that really don't have an affect on the game play. For example, from the rules this year:

<R7> F. The fabric covering the BUMPERS must be solid red or solid blue in color. Visually, the red or blue must be as close to the corresponding color in the FIRST logo as reasonable (i.e. to a reasonably astute observer, they appear similar). The only markings permitted on the BUMPER fabric cover are the team number (see Rule <R15>).

This year it was particularly difficult to display team name, sponsors, etc other than the top of the robot. In the past, we have made our bumpers with our team name, sponsors, etc. However, we followed it to the letter this year and just had our team number on it.

But, at all the competitions we went to, we saw teams with their team name, sometimes even with sponsors on it. Yes, this doesn't hurt or affect the game play, but, it is a clear violation.

So...when can you ignore a rule? When should you say something? What is the general consensus?

For example (not to point out a team in particular, but it's a good example of a very good and respected team with their team name and number on the bumper):

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/35688?