Rules for merging threads?

[SFR10]

Before anything else, I do know the following:

1. Moderators can't merge threads/topics (they can "only" merge posts):

• They used to but that's not the case at the moment (disabled)

(Moderators no longer have the ability to merge topics due to incidents like this.)

2. Admins are the only one with the ability (merging threads)
These are the rules that I'm aware of:

• Similar/identical threads
• Same direction (ex. Lack of having questions that aren't on the other thread)
• Has constructive replies

Is there anything else?

Take note: I've seen some users suggesting it (mostly, in regards to threads involving "merit"), so I'm hoping to get a clear picture for this matter (merge).
I created this thread, to ask if the following threads can be merged into one (based on the above rules):

Case #1
Mod, please check new plagiarism: Reporting copy/pasting, please permban
Plagiarism and copy/paste posts

- There are few other similar threads (that I didn't link).

Case #2
Suspected users that are abusing merit 3.0
More than 1000 merit abusers found here (clearly motivated) - red trust time
Signature Designers exchanging merits

- More can be found in regards to this topic.
Update:

Only admins can merge threads, and it's only done for technical reasons such as an accidentally-split post. Merging similar threads together just makes a big mess; if too many topics about the same thing are posted, the extras should just be locked or deleted.

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[pugman]

From what I heard, global mods can actually merge topics.
Refer here : https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2908877.msg29924569#msg29924569
It is actually better if the threads aren't merged. The thread would become too long, it would be hard to assess each case and chances are some might be missed.

[SFR10]

From what I heard, global mods can actually merge topics.
Refer here : https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2908877.msg29924569#msg29924569

Thank you for that (somehow, I missed it).
- Added.

It is actually better if the threads aren't merged. The thread would become too long, it would be hard to assess each case and chances are some might be missed.

- Not sure how that affects the above cases (most of those threads, are already long [more than a few pages, especially for "case #1"]).
- Searching/handling such cases through a single thread (that serves as a reference), should be easier than doing it across multiple threads.

[topkhai]

From what I heard, global mods can actually merge topics.
Refer here : https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2908877.msg29924569#msg29924569
It is actually better if the threads aren't merged. The thread would become too long, it would be hard to assess each case and chances are some might be missed.

Can you give an example. Maybe this will great experiences for me, thanks seniors ! 

[pugman]

- Not sure how that affects the above cases (most of those threads, are already long [more than a few pages, especially for "case #1"]).

By far,the only case/s I have seen where threads have been merged is when one author of a thread was operating a thread before and then became inactive,so another author had to open a new thread,and merged the older one with the newer one so that he could handle it.

Can you give an example. Maybe this will great experiences for me, thanks seniors ! 

Don't expect people to spoon feed you. Find your way through here,and learn to use the search feature.

- Searching/handling such cases through a single thread (that serves as a reference), should be easier than doing it across multiple threads.

Maybe yes,but then again new threads are created by the people. So the whole point of it makes it useless at  the end of the day. I think its time for stricter and official rules to be enforced. For the betterment of the forum and its discussions.

[marlboroza]

I created this thread, to ask if the following threads can be merged into one (based on the above rules):
Case #1
Mod, please check new plagiarism: Reporting copy/pasting, please permban
Plagiarism and copy/paste posts

I won't mind if moderator merge topics into one as both topics are identical, it's just forum was very slow that day and it was easier to create new topic than to use search button, wait minute and receive error message couple of times.
No worries, topic has been locked.

[theymos]

Only admins can merge threads, and it's only done for technical reasons such as an accidentally-split post. Merging similar threads together just makes a big mess; if too many topics about the same thing are posted, the extras should just be locked or deleted.

[SFR10]

I won't mind if moderator merge topics into one as both topics are identical, it's just forum was very slow that day and it was easier to create new topic than to use search button, wait minute and receive error message couple of times.
No worries, topic has been locked.

Thank you for taking the initiative and lock it.

Only admins can merge threads, and it's only done for technical reasons such as an accidentally-split post. Merging similar threads together just makes a big mess; if too many topics about the same thing are posted, the extras should just be locked or deleted.

Thank you for clarifying this (added to OP).
/locked.