Acceptable Use Policy
One important aspect of the Internet is that no one party owns or controls it. This fact accounts for much of the Internet's openness and value, but it also places a high premium on the judgment and responsibility of those who use it, both in the information they acquire and in the information they disseminate to others. When subscribers obtain information through the Internet, they must keep in mind that Veterans Internet Service cannot monitor, verify, warrant or vouch for the accuracy and quality of the information they acquire. For this reason, the subscriber must exercise his or her best judgment in relying on information obtained from the Internet, and also should be aware that some material posted to the Internet may be sexually explicit or otherwise offensive. Because Veterans Internet Service cannot monitor or censor the Internet, and will not attempt to do so, Veterans Internet Service cannot accept any responsibility for injury to its subscribers resulting from inaccurate, unsuitable, offensive or illegal Internet communications.
When subscribers disseminate information from the Internet, they must keep in mind that Veterans Internet Service does not review, edit, censor or take responsibility for any information its subscribers may create. When users place information on the Internet, they have the same liability as other authors for copyright infringement, defamation and other harmful speech. Also, because the information created is carried over Veterans Internet Service' network and may reach a large number of people, including both subscribers and non-subscribers of Veterans Internet Service, subscribers' postings to the Internet may affect other subscribers and may affect Veterans Internet Service' goodwill, business, reputation or operations. For these reasons, subscribers violate Veterans Internet Service policy and the Service Agreement when they, their customers, affiliates or subsidiaries engage in the following prohibited activities:
Spamming:
Audio/Video Streaming:
Adult-Oriented Content:
Large File Policy:
Obscene Speech or Materials:
Defamatory or Abusive Language:
Forging of Headers:
Illegal or Unauthorized Access to Other Computers or Networks:
Distribution of Internet Viruses, Worms, Trojan Horses or Other
Destructive Activities:
Facilitation a Violation of this AUP:
Export Control Violations:
Usenet Groups:
Other Illegal Activities:
Other Activities: As we have pointed out, the responsibility for avoiding harmful activities just described rests primarily with the subscriber. Veterans Internet Service will not, as an ordinary practice, monitor the communications of its subscribers to ensure that the comply with Veterans Internet Service' policy or applicable law. However, when Veterans Internet Service becomes aware of harmful activities, it may take any action to stop the harmful activity, including, but not limited to, removal of information, shutting down a web site, implementing screening software designed to block offending transmissions, denying access to the Internet, or any other action deemed appropriate by Veterans Internet Service.
Veterans Internet Service is also aware that many of its subscribers are themselves providers of Internet services, and that information reaching Veterans Internet Service' facilities from those subscribers may have originated from a customer of the subscriber or from another third party. Veterans Internet Service does not require its subscribers who offer Internet services to monitor or censor transmissions or web sites created by customers of its subscribers. Veterans Internet Service reserves the right to directly take action against a customer of its subscribers. Also, Veterans Internet Service may take action against the Veterans Internet Service' subscriber because of activities of a customer of the subscriber, even though the action may affect other customers of the subscriber. Similarly, Veterans Internet Service anticipates that subscribers who offer Internet services will cooperate with Veterans Internet Service in any corrective or preventive action that Veterans Internet Service deems necessary. Failure to cooperate with such corrective or preventive measures is a violation of Veterans Internet Service policy.
Veterans Internet Service will not intentionally monitor private electronic mail messages sent or receive by its subscribers, unless required to do so by law, governmental authority or when public safety is at stake. Veterans Internet Service may, however, monitor its service electronically to determine that its facilities are operating satisfactorily. Also, Veterans Internet Service may disclose information, including, but not limited to, information concerning a subscriber, a transmission made using our network, or a web site, in order to comply with a court order, subpoena, summons, discovery request, warrant, statute, regulation or governmental request. Veterans Internet Service assumes not obligation to inform the subscriber that subscriber information has been provided and, in some cases, may be prohibited by law from giving such notice. Finally, Veterans Internet Service may disclose subscriber information or information transmitted over its network where necessary to protect Veterans Internet Service and others from harm, or where such disclosure is necessary to the proper operation of the system. However, Veterans Internet Service will never sell information to other services or outside companies. Veterans Internet Service expects that its subscribers who provide Internet services to others will comply fully with all applicable laws concerning the privacy of online communications. A subscriber's failure to comply with those laws will violate Veterans Internet Service policy. Finally, Veterans Internet Service wishes to emphasize that, in signing the Service Agreement, subscribers indemnify Veterans Internet Service for any violation of the Service Agreement, law or Veterans Internet Service policy resulting in loss to Veterans Internet Service or the bringing of any claim against Veterans Internet Service by any third party. This means that, if Veterans Internet Service is sued because of a subscriber's or customer of a subscriber's activity, the subscriber will be responsible for payment of any damages awarded against Veterans Internet Service, plus costs and reasonable attorney's fees. We hope this AUP is helpful in clarifying the obligations of Internet
users, including Veterans Internet Service and its subscribers, as responsible
members of the Internet. Any complaints about a subscriber's violation
of this AUP should be sent to support@vets-internet.com. |
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