> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.svrnos.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# GER-309 · Compliant Harm

> Vendor measured a behavior that crosses a stated safety threshold (regulatory, contractual, or publicly committed) before deployment and shipped the system with that behavior present. The output is well-formed. The syste…

export const Badge = ({children, tone = "default", title}) => {
  const tones = {
    default: "bg-neutral-100 text-neutral-700",
    green: "bg-green-100 text-green-900",
    amber: "bg-amber-100 text-amber-900",
    blue: "bg-blue-50 text-blue-900",
    gray: "bg-neutral-50 text-neutral-600"
  };
  return <span className={`inline-flex items-center px-2 py-0.5 text-xs font-mono uppercase tracking-wider rounded ${tones[tone] ?? tones.default}`} title={title}>
      {children}
    </span>;
};

<div className="flex flex-wrap gap-2 mb-8 mt-2">
  <Badge tone="green">Documented</Badge> <Badge>Tier 3xx</Badge> <Badge>Layer L7</Badge> <Badge tone="blue" title="SVRNOS-assigned code in an HTTP-unassigned slot">Namespace-Claim</Badge> <Badge tone="gray">Added v0.1</Badge>
</div>

*Structural Moves*

## Definition

Vendor measured a behavior that crosses a stated safety threshold (regulatory, contractual, or publicly committed) before deployment and shipped the system with that behavior present. The output is well-formed. The system operates as built. Harm is the working behavior, not a deviation from it.

## Distinct from

* [**GER-306**](/ger/codes/306) — Pre-measured harm shipped at deployment → this code. Constraint retired post-deployment under non-technical pressure → GER-306.
* [**GER-420**](/ger/codes/420) — Vendor measured the specific harm and shipped → this code. Stated prohibition never wired into production → GER-420.
* [**GER-422**](/ger/codes/422) — Vendor measured harm and shipped (knowing claim) → this code. Vendor overstated capability without necessarily knowing real harm → GER-422.

## Case study

SVRNOS has published a long-form case study on this code: [**ger 309 they knew they shipped it anyway**](https://svrnos.com/insights/ger-309-they-knew-they-shipped-it-anyway).

## Tags

`c2pa` · `companion-ai` · `delusion-reinforcement` · `psychological-harm`

### Cite

```
SVRNOS. (2026). GER-309: Compliant Harm. Governance Error Register. https://docs.svrnos.com/ger/codes/309
```