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SpringNet Acceptable Use Policy

Policy Introduction

This Acceptable Use Policy is part of SpringNet’s effort to provide reliable, high quality service to our customers while at the same time protect the privacy and security of our customers. We want to encourage responsible use of SpringNet’s resources and comply with applicable laws.

This Policy describes the types of uses of the SpringNet network which oppose our objectives and are therefore, prohibited. To achieve these objectives, SpringNet may at its sole discretion, determine whether a use of the SpringNet net network is a violation of this Policy. It is not SpringNet’s intent to monitor, control, or censor communications on the SpringNet network, however, when we become aware of a violation of this Policy, we may take such action as we deem appropriate to address the violation, as referenced below.

This Policy applies to all customers of SpringNet’s IP services, and to all other users of the SpringNet network. This Policy supplements, but does not supersede, the contracts that customers have with SpringNet; if such a contract restricts a use of the SpringNet network that is not addressed in this Policy, the contract will govern with respect to such use.

Nothing contained in this Policy shall create a duty for City Utilities to prevent or discover violations of this Policy by customers or third parties. City Utilities shall have no liability whatsoever for damages resulting from violations of this Policy by customers or third parties.

Prohibited Uses

Uses of the SpringNet network described below are prohibited under this Policy. These descriptions should be used as guidelines and are not intended to be exhaustive.

Illegal/Criminal Activity

The SpringNet network may not be used in connection with criminal or civil violations of state, federal, or international laws, regulations, or other government requirements. Such violations include theft or infringement of copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, or other types of intellectual property; fraud; forgery; theft or misappropriation of funds, credit cards, or personal information; and threats of physical harm or harassment.

Security Violations

The SpringNet network may not be used in connection with attempts ­ whether or not successful – to violate the security of a network, service, or other system. Examples of prohibited activities include hacking, cracking into, monitoring, or using systems without authorization; scanning ports; conducting denial of service attacks; and distributing viruses or other harmful software.
SpringNet customers are responsible for maintaining the basic security of their systems to prevent their use by others in a manner that violates this Policy. Examples include improperly securing a mail server so that it may be used by others to distribute spam, and improperly securing an FTP server so that it may be used by others to illegally distribute licensed software. Customers are expected to maintain appropriate software patch levels on servers to prevent their use as origin points for DDOS attacks, virus or worm distribution or other malevolent acts. Customers are responsible for taking immediate corrective actions on vulnerable or exploited systems to prevent continued abuse.

Threats

The SpringNet network may not be used to transmit materials of a threatening nature, including threats of death or physical harm, harassment, libel, and defamation.

Offensive Materials

The SpringNet network may not be used for the distribution of offensive materials, including obscene, pornographic, indecent, and hateful materials. Spam Spam is an unacceptable use of the SpringNet network. Spam includes any of the following activities:

• Sending any unsolicited email that could be expected in SpringNet’s discretion, to provoke complaints.
• Collecting the responses from unsolicited email.
• Sending email with charity requests, petitions for signatures, or any chain mail related materials.
• Sending unsolicited email without identifying in the email a clear and easy means to be excluded from receiving additional email from the originator of the email.
• Not acting on a request to be excluded from mailings.
• Sending email that does not accurately identify the sender, the sender’s return address, and the email address of origin.
• Posting a single message, or messages similar in content, to more than five online forums or newsgroups.
• Posting messages to online forums or newsgroups that violate the rules of the forums or newsgroups.
• Using SpringNet facilities to violate another Internet Service Provider’s acceptable use policy and/or terms of service.

Indirect Access

A violation of this Policy by someone having only indirect access to the SpringNet network through a SpringNet customer’s connection will be considered a violation by that customer, whether or not it was done with the knowledge or consent of that customer. As an example, Down Stream Providers are responsible for the actions of their individual customers.