Acceptable Use Policy

The Internet is a voluntary association of users interested in and willing to exchange information and data. At present, there is no oversight group providing governance over the principles, policies, or procedures for use of the Internet or the information and data accessed via the Internet.

In order to facilitate their contractual relationship, the Customer and Host Depot wish to define a working protocol of principles and policies and establish operating guidelines and acceptable standards of use of the Internet. Common sense is the best guide as to what is considered acceptable use. To this end the parties agree as follows:

Principles Governing Acceptable Use of the Internet by the Customer

Responsibility and Respect - The Internet is a network intended for use by mature, adult users (and by minors when supervised by mature adults). The Customer recognizes this principle and undertakes at all times to act with respect, courtesy, and responsibility; giving due regard to the interests and rights of other Internet user groups. This general guideline carries with it the following specific responsibilities:

  1. Compliance with Laws - The Customer will ensure that its use of the Internet complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, including (but not limited to) those principles of law which protect against compromise of copyrights, trade secrets, proprietary information and other intellectual property rights, libel or defamation of character, invasion of privacy, tortious interference, and export of technical or military data to prohibited countries.

  2. Discretion and Judgment - The Customer is expected to use discretion in the treatment and handling of Internet information and data and to take particular care to insure that adult information is not transmitted to juvenile users of the Internet.

  3. Additional Domains - Additional domains on an existing web site are to be used for the purpose of having more than one way to find the same site, not for the purposes of sharing an account among multiple sites. An additional domain may not be set up to reference a subdirectory within an existing web hosting account served by Host Depot or any other provider. Additional domains are not to be used as a substitute for purchasing separate accounts.

  4. Improper Uses - The Customer will avoid violation of certain generally accepted guidelines on Internet usage, such as:
    • Using a non-existent e-mail return address on a commercial solicitation.
    • Spamming - sending unsolicited email messages to numerous e-mail addresses or newsgroups and/or generating a significantly higher volume of outgoing e-mail than a normal user.
    • Blacklisted IP addresses - sending unsolicited email messages from our network resulting in the blacklisting of IP addresses.
    • Trolling - posting outrageous messages to generate numerous responses.
    • Mail-bombing - sending multiple messages without significant new content to the same user.
    • Subscribing someone else to a mailing list without that person's permission.
    • Cross-posting articles to an excessive number of newsgroups.
    • Attempting without authorization to enter into a secured computer system.

    Host Depot reserves the right to determine what constitutes improper use. Violators of this policy will be subject to fines of up to $5,000, immediate suspension, and/or termination. No other notice will be given.

  5. Domain Registration Fees - Host Depot's service fees are separate from domain registration fees.

  6. Knowledge of the Internet - The Customer agrees to obtain a basic knowledge of the Internet and its operating principles and procedures.

  7. Misuse of Resources - Customers will not be allowed to use excessive amounts of CPU, memory, bandwidth, or other resources on any Host Depot server or network. This includes, but is not limited to, employing posts or programs which consume excessive CPU time or storage space, permitting use of mail services, mail forwarding capabilities, POP accounts, or auto-responders other than for the customer's own account; or resale of access to CGI scripts installed on Host Depot servers. Participating in this kind of activity may result in immediate suspension.

  8. Lawful Purpose - You may use, Host Depot's Services only for lawful purposes. You may not transmit, store, post, display, or otherwise make available any information, software, data, file or material in violation of any applicable law or regulation. You may not use Host Depot's Services to facilitate, or otherwise assist in, the violation of any law or regulation.

  9. Child Pornography - You may not use Host Depot's Services to disseminate or display images or other content that constitutes child pornography under United States laws. Host Depot is required by law to notify law enforcement agencies when it becomes aware of the presence of child pornography on or being transmitted through Host Depot's network. In such matters Host Depot maintains a zero tolerance policy to the enforcement of this prohibition and Host Depot takes an active role in cooperating with law enforcement officials in their efforts to prosecute violations of statutes that prohibit the dissemination of child pornography.

  10. Refusal of Service - Host Depot reserves the right to refuse or terminate service to anyone for any reason.

  11. Security - The Customer is required to protect the security of its Internet account and usage. The Customer's password will be treated as private and confidential and will not be disclosed to or shared with any third parties. Customers conducting online commerce transactions through their web sites are responsible for the security of all such transactions, and shall not hold Host Depot, its agents, or employees liable for any incidental or consequential damages arising from such transactions. Host Depot recommends the use of SSL and PGP (or another encryption/decryption tool), but does not provide any warranty or guarantee for these products.

  12. Storage - Files on Host Depot servers must be for web site purposes only. Storage of unrelated files or use of Host Depot servers for the backup of files is strictly prohibited.

  13. Suspension - Activity that results in an account being suspended will result in loss of fees paid. No refunds will be made. Damages caused by the account will result in financial loss to the Customer. Any complaints arising as a result of client activity will be obvious grounds for suspension.

  14. Validation of Information - The Customer is responsible for validating the integrity of the information and data it receives or transmits over the Internet.

Complaints about violators of Host Depot policies should be reported from our e-mail form. Each complaint will be investigated and appropriate action will be taken.

 
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