Hades Statement of Policies

Before you begin to use any of Hades Data Services service as a client, you ("you", "your", "yourself", "client" and/or "subscriber") must review the following terms and conditions of Hades Data Services LLC ("HDS"). These terms and conditions explain HDS's obligations to you, and explain your obligations to HDS when you use the Client Services and will constitute a binding contract between you and HDS. HDS is providing you with the Client Services in consideration of your agreement to abide by these terms and conditions.

Index:

  1. Legal Statement and Agreement
  2. Online Acceptable Use Policies

Recent Substantive Changes

2003-May-14: None at this time. Initial document.

Legal Statement and Agreement

  1. Terms of Access Agreement

    1. To make your use of the Client Service as enjoyable and effective as possible, HDS has developed HDS's Online Policies, which appear at the end of this Agreement and will continue to be refined and revised over time. You agree to abide by HDS's Online Policies and agree that those policies are incorporated into this Agreement by reference. Please take the time to familiarize yourself with those policies.

    2. Current account charges, including billing methods, rates, fees, penalties, and surcharges for using the client Services, may be found in HDS's Online Policies, and in the Prices page. The link to the Prices page may be found in the column to the left.

    3. You agree that HDS may: (a) revise the terms and conditions of this Agreement (including HDS's Online Policies); (b) revise its billing rates, fees, penalties and account surcharges; and (c) modify the services provided under this Agreement at any time. Any such revisions and modifications shall be binding and effective immediately on posting the revised Agreement on HDS home page, or on notification to you by e-mail to your HDS e-mail address or United States mail.

    4. You agree to review the Agreement (including HDS's Online Policies) periodically to be aware of any such revisions. If any revision to this Agreement is unacceptable to you, you may terminate this Agreement at any time by providing HDS with written notice by United States mail, or by contacting HDS customer service via phone or email. Notice of your termination will be effective on receipt by HDS.

    5. You agree that, by continuing to use the Client Service following notice of any revision to the Agreement (including HDS's Online Policies), you accept any such revisions and agree to abide by any such revisions.

    6. HDS reserves the right to distribute informative e-mails to its subscribers on an ad hoc basis that it feels is pertinent to the quality of its service. These announcements may include information about revisions to this Agreement (including HDS's Online Policies) and/or modifications to the services provided under this Agreement or other information about HDS's services.

  2. Registration Information

    1. You agree to provide HDS with accurate, complete registration information, to promptly notify HDS of any changes in such information, and to verify such information as HDS may request. If you do not provide HDS with accurate registration information, you are not authorized to use the Client Service and your account may be terminated immediately.

    2. YOU AGREE THAT BY USING THE ACCESS SERVICE YOU REPRESENT THAT YOU ARE AT LEAST EIGHTEEN YEARS OLD (OR OTHERWISE OF LEGAL MAJORITY IN YOUR CIRCUMSTANCE) AND THAT YOU ARE LEGALLY ABLE TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT.

  3. HDS Client Service

    1. HDS Client Service will provide you with: (a) unlimited connectivity for your site and/or other services to the Internet through HDS; (b) free customer technical phone support not otherwise billable as "consulting services" or other services HDS deems billable. "Unlimited connectivity" is defined as "flat-rate (i.e. non-metered) access to the Internet via HDS."

    2. The Internet is an international computer network. The Internet is not owned, operated, or managed by, or in any way affiliated with HDS or any of HDS's affiliates. HDS cannot and does not guarantee that the Client Service will provide Internet access that is sufficient to meet your needs. You agree that your use of the Access Service and the Internet is solely at your own risk and is subject to all applicable local, state, national and international laws and regulations.

    3. You agree that HDS retains the right, but not the obligation, to restrict or terminate your Client Service at any time, if HDS, in its sole discretion, determines that you are in violation of this Agreement and/or HDS's Online Policies. You agree that, if HDS determines that you are in violation of this Agreement, any restriction or termination of your Client Service will be effective immediately, without prior notice. You agree that HDS will have no liability to you for any restriction or termination of your Client Service pursuant to such violation.

    4. YOU AGREE THAT IF HDS TERMINATES YOUR CLIENT ACCOUNT AS A RESULT OF YOUR VIOLATION OF THIS AGREEMENT OR HDS'S ONLINE POLICIES, YOU FORFEIT ANY RIGHT TO A REFUND OF ANY PREPAID ACCOUNT CHARGES, SUCH FORFEITURE BEING AGREED TO BY YOU AND HDS AS LIQUIDATED DAMAGES AND NOT AS A PENALTY. You further agree that HDS is under no obligation to forward any email for an account canceled due to a violation. HDS reserves the right to refuse the application or reapplication of anyone whose account has been canceled for a violation, or anyone whom HDS suspects is acting on behalf of someone whose account has been canceled for a violation. HDS reserves the right to cancel or suspend all other accounts belonging to you if one of your accounts was involved in a violation.

    5. HDS reserves the right to disable and/or temporarily suspend an account from HDS service without warning if in HDS's sole discretion there is a reasonable suspicion that such disconnection or suspension would prevent or interrupt a violation of this Agreement or HDS's Online Policies.

    6. Subject to the provision of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act and any other applicable laws and regulations, HDS reserves the right to remove or block access to, either permanently or temporarily, any files which HDS suspects or which a third party alleges are associated with a violation of the law, this Agreement or HDS s Online Policies or with the account responsible for such violation. This includes but is not limited to blocking access to Usenet news articles.

    7. HDS reserves the right to refuse connectivity, hosting, and other similar services and procedures to any user who owns or operates an open mail relay, relaying "formmail" cgi or other script, tool, or daemon.

      Further, you agree not to use HDS Client Service in any manner to make use of any SMTP service to which you are not authorized to use.

    8. HDS reserves the right to remove, either permanently or temporarily, any e-mail that has been left on HDS servers for a period of 45 days or more.

    9. You are responsible for obtaining and maintaining any communications equipment or Internet connectivity necessary to connect to HDS, including modems, computer hardware and software, and long distance or local telephone service. You are responsible for ensuring that such equipment or service is compatible with HDS's requirements. In addition, you are responsible for maintaining the security of your account, password, files, network and user access, and any information you disseminate through HDS services or other Internet services, and for all use of your account with or without your knowledge or consent, including, without limitation, any use of your account by minors.

      You acknowledge that the use of Client Services may require changes in the software, hardware, or Internet connectivity, and that HDS has no obligation to provide assistance. Further, operational changes to HDS may require changes to the software, hardware, or Internet connectivity used to connect to HDS, and that HDS has no obligation to provide assistance.

    10. By using the Client Service you agree that neither HDS nor its affiliates shall be held responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any loss, liability or damage of any nature caused, or alleged to have been caused, by your use of, or reliance on, any content, goods, or services available on or through the Client Service.

    11. Theft of Service You acknowledge that the right to the use of, and any benefits that may be derived from, the Client Service is personal to you and is being provided by HDS as partial consideration of your agreement to pay the charges applicable to your account. You acknowledge that any unauthorized receipt of the Client Service constitutes theft of service, which is a violation of Federal law and can result in both civil and criminal penalties. HDS will prosecute violations to the fullest extent of the law.

  4. Content of Communications

    1. As a matter of policy, HDS does not pre-screen Content placed on HDS computer servers by any of its subscribers. Moreover, HDS does not have the practical ability to monitor, review, or restrict access to Content on HDS servers prior to its transmission or to monitor all communications between parties. The Internet also provides access to individuals and organizations who are not HDS subscribers. HDS does not have the capability to monitor, review, or restrict any Content made available by third parties on the Internet, to edit or remove any Content that is not on HDS's own servers, nor to monitor all communications between parties. You agree that you shall be responsible for and bear all risk associated with the accuracy, completeness, reliability or usefulness of any Content available to you on or through the Client Service and for all your communication on the Client Service.

    2. You agree that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, HDS has the right, but not the obligation, to remove Content from HDS computer servers which HDS, in its sole discretion, determines to be in violation of this Agreement or HDS's Online Policies.

    3. You acknowledge that you may receive or be exposed to Content, goods or services which you consider to be improper, inaccurate, misleading, defamatory, obscene or otherwise offensive. You agree that HDS will not be liable for any action or inaction with respect to any such Content posted on or through the Client Service and the Internet.

  5. Copyright and Other Rights

    1. The Client Service provides access to Content that is protected by copyrights, trademarks, and other intellectual property rights ("Rights") of various third parties.

    2. You agree that your use of Content shall be governed by all applicable laws and regulations, and by the specific restrictions placed on such Content by the owners or licensors of the Rights in such Content.

    3. You agree not to upload, download, display, perform, transmit or otherwise distribute on or through the Access Service any material (including, without limitation, any Content to which you have access through the Access Service) that is subject to another party's Rights, without that party's express permission or unless otherwise authorized by law. You acknowledge and agree that any such unauthorized conduct: (a) may result in termination of this Agreement, and; (b) may expose you to civil or criminal liability. WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING IN ANY WAY, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE AND ACCEPT THAT HDS SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT, IN APPROPRIATE CIRCUMSTANCES, TO RESTRICT AND/OR TERMINATE YOUR ACCESS SERVICE IF YOU REPEATEDLY ENGAGE IN COPYRIGHT OR TRADEMARK INFRINGEMENT OR OTHER VIOLATIONS OF THE RIGHTS OF THIRD PARTIES.

    4. You agree that by posting or transmitting or otherwise distributing material to any public area (such as public chat rooms, message boards, newsgroups, webspace or software libraries), you are requesting and authorizing HDS to make that material available to other Internet users and that such access will result in copies of such material being transmitted to others. To the extent that such material is subject to any Rights of yours or a third party, you automatically (a) grant, and/or represent that owner of any such material has expressly authorized you to grant, HDS a royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable, non-exclusive, world-wide, right and license to reproduce, publish, distribute, perform and display such material (in whole or in part), or (b) represent that the publication, distribution, performance and display of such material (in whole or in part) by HDS, is otherwise authorized by law.

    5. With respect to any material stored on an HDS system at your direction, you acknowledge and agree that in the event that HDS receives appropriate notice that such material infringes the Rights of a third party, has actual knowledge of such infringement, or is aware of facts or circumstances from which infringement is apparent, HDS shall have the right immediately to remove or block access to such material. Under such circumstances, however, you shall have the right to notify HDS that such material has been removed or access denied as a result of a mistake or misidentification of the material. HDS's policy with respect to such notices is explained in more detail in HDS's Online Policies. You also acknowledge and agree that, under appropriate circumstances, HDS shall have the right to remove or block your access to allegedly infringing Content provided by third parties.

  6. Rights in HDS Client Service Software and Other Material

    1. Your use of the Client Service gives you limited rights to use the software available on the Client Service. HDS grants you a non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable, limited license or sublicense to use the Client Service Software solely for the purpose of using the Client Service in accordance with this Agreement. Upon the termination of this Agreement for any reason, your license or sublicense to use such Client Service Software shall automatically terminate.

    2. You agree not to copy, modify, adapt, reproduce, translate, distribute, reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble any Content or any aspect of the Access Service that is owned by or in which HDS or its licensors have Rights, including, without limitation, the Access Service Software.

    3. You agree that you will utilize such file and/or web space ("disk space") as may be allocated to you. HDS will allocate up to 100 MB (one hundred megabytes) of disk space without additional charge. HDS may charge you its prevailing rate for any additional disk space that HDS provides to you. HDS reserves the right to monitor your disk space usage and enforce disk space use restrictions, which may include, but may not be limited to, the deletion of files and other materials that utilize disk space exceeding your disk space allocation.

  7. NO WARRANTY

    1. YOU AGREE THAT YOUR USE OF THE CLIENT SERVICE, THE CLIENT SERVICE SOFTWARE, AND THE INTERNET IS SOLELY AT YOUR OWN RISK. YOU AGREE THAT THE CLIENT SERVICE AND THE CLIENT SERVICE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS," "AS AVAILABLE" BASIS WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, UNLESS SUCH WARRANTIES ARE LEGALLY INCAPABLE OF EXCLUSION.

    2. EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT SUCH DISCLAIMERS ARE EXPRESSLY PROHIBITED BY LAW, HDS DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL LOSS, DAMAGE OR LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO YOUR USE OF THE CLIENT SERVICE, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY LOSS, DAMAGE OR LIABILITY RELATING TO: (A) LOSS OR CORRUPTION OF DATA; (B) LOSS OF OR DAMAGE TO SOFTWARE OR HARDWARE; (C) ACCESS DELAYS OR ACCESS INTERRUPTIONS; (D) COMPUTER VIRUSES; (E) NON-DELIVERY OR MIS-DELIVERY OF DATA; (F) THE NEGLIGENT ACTS AND/OR OMISSIONS OF HDS OR HDS SUBSCRIBERS; (G) ANY DEFECTS, FAILURES, ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR MISSTATEMENTS IN ANY AND ALL INFORMATION, GOODS, OR SERVICES OBTAINED ON OR THROUGH THE CLIENT SERVICE, (H) ANY FAILURE OF CLIENT SERVICE SOFTWARE TO BE YEAR 2000 COMPLIANT; AND; (I) LOSS OR LIABILITY RESULTING FROM ACTS BEYOND HDS'S CONTROL.

    3. You agree that HDS's entire liability, and your exclusive remedy, with respect to your use of the Client Service, your use of the Client Service Software, and any breach of this Agreement is solely limited to the amount you paid to use the Client Service. Because some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability for consequential or incidental damages, in such states, HDS's liability is limited to the extent permitted by law

    4. You may not rely on oral or written information or advice given by HDS's officers, directors, employees, agents, authorized representatives, sub-contractors or affiliates and/or their officers, directors, employees, agents, authorized representatives, or sub-contractors or affiliates to create a warranty or increase the scope of warranty already established in these terms and conditions. Your rights and HDS's responsibilities are limited to the warranties that are expressed in these written terms and conditions that have been established by HDS to govern the use of the Client Service.

  8. Indemnification

    1. You agree to defend, release, indemnify, and hold HDS, its affiliated companies and licensors, and its and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, authorized representatives, and sub-contractors harmless from all liabilities, claims and expenses, including without limitation reasonable attorneys fees, arising from breach of the Agreement by use of, or in connection with the posting or transmission of any Content or other material by or through your account on the Client Service.

    2. You agree that HDS has the right, but not the obligation, at its own expense, to assume the exclusive defense and control of any matter otherwise subject to indemnification by you pursuant to Paragraph 1 of this section. In such event, you shall have no further obligations pursuant to Paragraph 1 of this section.

  9. Termination

    1. You agree that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, you or HDS may terminate this Agreement for any reason at any time.

    2. You agree that your only right with respect to any dissatisfaction with (a) any agreement term, policy, or practice of HDS in operating the Client Service, (b) any Content available on or through the Client Service or change therein, or (c) amount or type of fees or billing methods, or change therein, is to terminate this Agreement as set forth in Paragraph 1 of this section.

    3. You agree that HDS has the right, but not the obligation, to delete all program, data, or other files on HDS computer servers that are associated with your account at the time of termination.

    4. Only the person whose name is on the account shall have the right to change the user id(s) and/or password(s) for the account, and/or cancel an existing account. Some restrictions may apply to your selection of user id.

    5. The following fees and charges are non-refundable: Web and Publishing/Development Fees, Domain registration fees, Consultation Fees, Program/Script Development Fees, fees or payments made to other parties on your behalf, payments for any commissioned work, and charges for uncompleted portions of contracted service.

    6. The following fees and charges are fully refundable: Charges for service contract periods that have not begun.

  10. Miscellaneous

    1. You agree that, absent Special Contracts, this Agreement and HDS's Online Policies (which are incorporated by reference) comprise the entire understanding between HDS and you, and supersede any prior agreements or correspondence between you and HDS and/or any postings or other notices from HDS with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement.

    2. You agree that, if any portion of this Agreement (including HDS's Online Policies) is held invalid or unenforceable, that portion will be construed consistent with applicable law as nearly as possible to reflect the original intentions of the parties, and the remaining portions will remain in full force and effect.

    3. The Agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of Wisconsin, excluding its conflicts of law rules. You and HDS each submit to the exclusive subject matter jurisdiction, personal jurisdiction, and venue of the courts of the State of Wisconsin and the federal courts located in the State of Wisconsin.

  11. Acceptance By User

    1. I accept the terms of this Internet Access Agreement and agree to be bound by its terms.

HDS's Online Policies

HDS's dedication to customer service means that HDS strives to maintain an Internet Client Service ("Client Service") that provides HDS customers with an enjoyable Internet experience, and an experience that is free from interference by persons who use the Client Service in an improper or unlawful manner. HDS's Online Policies address frequently asked questions regarding proper online conduct. These policies include information on: HDS Account Charges; the content of the material that you may find on or through the Client Service; goods and services available online through the Client Service; and procedures for reporting complaints regarding a person's online conduct.

HDS's Online Policies, including the following list of Prohibited/Abusive Activities, are part of your subscriber agreement. Please note that if you engage in any such activities, HDS may suspend or terminate your account.

As explained in your subscriber agreement, your use of HDS Internet Client Service must be governed by all applicable laws and regulations, including all applicable local, state, national, and international laws and regulations. In addition to other applicable laws, this includes all laws relating to copyright, trademark, trade secrets, obscenity, defamation, rights of privacy and publicity, false advertising, and fraud.

In addition to such laws and regulations, when using the Client Service you must use your best efforts to avoid interfering with any other person's use and enjoyment of the Client Service. You must also ensure that your use of the Client Service is governed by generally accepted rules of proper Internet conduct.

Please use your best judgment, be respectful of other subscribers, and take the time to review the activities listed below. These activities are not proper Internet conduct and are prohibited activities on the Client Service. Following these rules will ensure that everyone has an enjoyable Client Service experience.

  1. PROHIBITED / ABUSIVE ACTIVITIES

    For purposes of the Prohibited/Abusive Activities, the term "content" means information or material of any type capable of being posted or transmitted on or through the Client Service, including material in print, graphic, pictorial audio, or audio-visual form.

    When using the Access Service:

    1. Defamation. You agree not to post or transmit any content in violation of any applicable law of libel or defamation in the United States or elsewhere.
    2. Fraud. You agree not to post or transmit any fraudulent content on or through the Access Service. This includes any content that you know or have reason to know is false, and that you intend for others to rely on.
    3. False Advertising. You agree not to post or transmit on or through the Access Service any advertising or promotional materials that contain false, deceptive, or misleading statements, claims, or representations.
    4. Unsolicited Advertising. You agree not to post or transmit any unsolicited advertising, promotional materials, or other forms of solicitation to other subscribers, individuals, or entities, except in those areas (e.g., classified advertisement areas) that are designated for such a purpose. You further agree not to involve or associate HDS in any way with the posting or transmission of unsolicited advertising, promotional materials, or other forms of solicitation, including but not limited to unsolicited advertisements sent from another service provider advertising an HDS-hosted web page, and unsolicited advertisements sent from another service provider which request that replies be sent to an HDS email address.
    5. Copyright Violations. You agree not to post or transmit on or through the Client Service any content that infringes another person's or entity's copyright in all or any part of the content.
    6. Trademark, Service Mark, and Trade Dress Violations. You agree not to post or transmit on or through the Client Service any content that infringes, dilutes or otherwise violates another person's rights in its trademarks, service marks, trade dress, or other indicia of origin.
    7. Trade Secret Violations. You agree not to post or transmit on or through the Client Service any content that reveals trade secrets or other confidential or proprietary information belonging to another person or other entity.
    8. Obscenity. You agree not to post or transmit any obscene or pornographic content, including, but not limited to, child pornography, on or through the Client Service.
    9. Harassment, Threats, and Abuse. You agree not to use the Client Service to harass, intimidate, threaten, or abuse any person or entity, by any means, including the use of vulgar, hateful, racially or ethnically offensive, sexually harassing, or otherwise objectionable content.
    10. False Pretenses. You agree to not use the Client Service to impersonate any person, including but not limited to, an HDS official or an information provider, guide, or host, or communicate under a false name or a name that you are not entitled or authorized to use in all forms of online communication, including, but not limited to, screen names, subscriber profiles, chat dialogue, and message posting.
    11. Chain Letters. You agree to not post or transmit chain letters, or letters or messages that offer a product or service based on the structure of a chain letter, on or through the Client Service.
    12. Inappropriate Content. You agree not to post or transmit on or through the Client Service content that is patently inappropriate material under the circumstances -- e.g., content or topics not related to the topics focused on by the participants in a particular news group or mailing list.
    13. Scrolling. You agree not to cause the screen to "scroll" faster than other subscribers or users are able to type to it, or any action to a similar disruptive effect on or through the Client Service.
    14. Disruptive Activities. You agree not to use the Client Service to disrupt the normal flow of online dialogue, or otherwise act in a manner that negatively affects use of the Internet by other subscribers, users, individuals, or entities.
    15. Violations of Service Providers' Rules. You agree to not use the Access Service to violate any operating rule, policy, or guideline of any other online service provider or interactive service.
    16. Multiple Access. You agree that this Agreement is non-transferable.
    17. Abuse of HDS Procedures. You agree not to make false or unverified complaints against any HDS subscriber, or otherwise abuse any of HDS Complaint Response Procedures.
    18. Systems Abuse. You agree not to abuse HDS's system, or any other system accessible through the Internet via HDS, by causing any harm to the system so that it inhibits or negatively impacts the ability of other users to effectively use such system. You further agree not to compromise or attempt to violate security at HDS or elsewhere, including but not limited to, attempted access of any data, server, or account that you are not expressly authorized to access.
    19. SPAM. You agree not to post or cross post, regardless of content, copies of the same or essentially similar messages to 10 or more newsgroups, or more than 5 times to the any single newsgroup.
    20. Support Abuse. You agree not to harass, threaten or abuse authorized representatives of HDS, including but not limited to tech support representatives, customer relations representatives, and sales representatives, or otherwise abuse HDS's support services.
    21. Inappropriate software, products, and services. You agree not to post, transmit, promote, or otherwise make available any software, product or service that is illegal, violates the rights of HDS or a third party, or is designed to violate this Agreement. Such software, products or services include, but are not limited to, programs designed to send unsolicited advertisements (i.e. "spamware"), services which send unsolicited advertisements, programs designed to initiate "denial of service" attacks, mail bomb programs, and programs designed to gain unauthorized access to networks on the Internet.
    22. Reselling. You agree not to resell HDS services or products without an express written agreement with HDS to do so.
    23. Web Space usage. You will utilize up to 100KB (one hundred megabytes) of web space which HDS provides that is created automatically when your account is created without additional charge. HDS may, in its sole discretion, provide you with a greater allocation of web space at at HDS's then-prevailing rate. HDS reserves the right to monitor web space usage and enforce web space use restrictions, which may include, but not limited to, the deletion of files and other materials that utilize web space exceeding a Subscriber's disk space allocation.
    24. Theft of Service. You acknowledge that the right to the use of, and any benefits that may be derived from, the Client Service is personal to you and is being provided by HDS as partial consideration of your agreement to pay the charges applicable to your account. You agree not to distribute, resell, share or otherwise allow others to utilize the Client Service, either free of charge or for consideration. You acknowledge that any unauthorized receipt of the Client Service constitutes theft of service, which is a violation of Federal law and can result in both civil and criminal penalties. HDS will prosecute violations to the fullest extent of the law.
  2. CONTENT OF ONLINE MATERIAL

    HDS Client Service provides access to information, communications, software, photos, video, graphics, music, sounds, services and other material located both on HDS computer servers and on the Internet ("Content"). You should be aware that the Internet contains Content, goods and services that you may find improper, inaccurate, misleading, defamatory, obscene or otherwise offensive. Such Content may not be appropriate for you or for any minors who may be accessing the Internet through your account.

    As a matter of policy, HDS does not pre-screen Content placed on HDS computer servers by any of its subscribers. Moreover, HDS does not have the practical ability to monitor, review, or restrict access to Content on HDS servers prior to its transmission or to monitor all communications between parties. Thus, there may be Content on HDS servers which may violate HDS rules, and you may receive offensive and unsolicited Content that HDS cannot control.

    HDS retains the right to remove Content from HDS servers that violates its subscriber agreement (including these On-Line Policies). In particular, HDS reserves the right to remove or block access to material if it receives appropriate notice that such material infringes the proprietary rights of a third party, has actual knowledge of such infringement, or is aware of facts or circumstances from which infringement is apparent. However, the Client Service provides access to users who are not a part of HDS Client Service and HDS does not have the capability to monitor, review, remove or restrict access to any Content made available by third parties on the Internet.

    Accordingly, HDS cannot be responsible for any conduct, Content, goods, and services available on or through the Client Service. HDS suggests that concerned parents consider using one of the commercially available software programs capable of restricting access to sexually explicit material on the Internet. However, no parental control software is perfect. Your use of such software is solely at your own risk. HDS makes no warranties or representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any parental control software or service.

  3. PRIVACY OF COMMUNICATIONS

    HDS intends to respect its subscribers. privacy and will not randomly monitor or disclose the contents of private e-mail or private chat room communications. However, you agree that HDS has the right, but not the obligation, to monitor or disclose the contents of private communication, if HDS, in its sole discretion, reasonably believes that such action is necessary: (a) to comply with applicable law or valid legal process; (b) to protect HDS rights or property; or (c) in emergencies when a person's physical safety is at issue.

    As a measure of this intent, HDS provides all users access to Gnu Privacy Guard (GPG), a public-key encryption package. You are encouraged to make use of this program where it may be appropriate for you to do so. Please see the online documentation files for information about using this package.

    In addition, HDS reserves the right under appropriate circumstances to disclose the identity of a subscriber to third parties in response to a valid legal subpoena and to otherwise cooperate with legitimate police inquiries and lawful civil proceedings.

  4. ONLINE GOODS AND SERVICES

    HDS does not control or take responsibility for any Content, goods, or services which independent third parties may available on or through the Client Service. Subscribers may receive blind opportunity advertisements, pyramid schemes, and other "get rich quick" schemes on or through the Client Service. These should be avoided or approached with ample skepticism. Please remember that HDS does not endorse, warrant, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, usefulness, quality, or availability of any such Content, goods, or services, and your use thereof is solely at your own risk.

    You should use your best judgment and exercise caution when purchasing a product or service through the Client Service. HDS will not be a party to, or in any way be responsible for, monitoring any purchases or other transactions between you and any other persons providing Content, goods, or services on or through the Client Service. HDS assumes no responsibility for any such transactions and will not mediate disputes relating to such transactions. HDS disclaims any responsibility for any such transactions even where the Client Service features or displays a link with a particular World Wide Web site.

  5. ACCOUNT CHARGES

    Your monthly account charges are payable in advance. If you terminate your account, you will receive a prorated refund for any access time credited to your account, less applicable termination fee. However, if your account is terminated by HDS because of violations of HDS's subscriber agreement (including these Online Policies), you will not be entitled to a prorated refund, such forfeiture being agreed to you and HDS as liquidated damages and not as a penalty and you may be subject to a termination fee.

    You are responsible for all activities and charges associated with your account. If any unauthorized charges are made on or through your account, you are responsible for such charges until you notify HDS of a breach of security by calling HDS at 1-608-345-8784 and change your password. Please be advised that the contact person or listed owner of the HDS Internet Account is solely responsible for activities conducted through, on or with their HDS Internet Account, including activities by other persons (including minors) whether or not authorized by such contact person or listed owner. If you, or someone to whom you have given access to your account, violates the HDS Internet Client Agreement, your account may be terminated.

    If you pay by credit card, you expressly authorize HDS to charge the credit card account number associated with your Account for any Client Service charges that accrue from month to month, biannually, annually, or any other subscription term. You reauthorize HDS to charge your designated credit card account each time you use the Client Service. This authorization will remain valid until you terminate your authorization in writing. HDS may immediately terminate your account, in HDS's sole discretion, for declined credit cards, returned checks, or any other non-payment of account charges.

    A billing cycle will begin on the date you purchase the Client Service and will continue for one month from that date. A new billing cycle will begin on the anniversary date of the day of the month on which you purchased the Client Service.

    If you pay other than by credit card, your account charges are due on your receipt of an invoice, and payment of your account charges must be received by HDS prior to the first day of each billing cycle. Only accounts with monthly invoices of more than $50.00 can be invoiced. Your account will be considered to be in default if payment of your account charges is not received within thirty (30) days after the date of your invoice. If your accounts is still unpaid sixty (60) days after the date of your invoice, you may have your Client Service interrupted or terminated.

    If any instrument received in payment is returned to HDS unpaid, your account will be considered to be in default, and in addition to the amount due, you will be subject to a returned check charge of $25.00. If your account is canceled or interrupted for non-payment, you must continue to pay your monthly account charges. Only your written request to terminate your account will relieve you of your obligation to pay your monthly account charges.

    If your account is in default, you are subject to an interest charge of 1.5 percent per month, or the maximum allowable rate under state law. If you default on your account, you agree to pay HDS its reasonable expenses, including attorneys. fees and collection agency fees, incurred in enforcing HDS rights under HDS Client Agreement.

  6. COMPLAINT RESPONSE PROCEDURES

    HDS's dedication to customer service means that HDS takes seriously and attempts to respond to all complaints about its subscribers. use of the Internet. This means complaints by both HDS subscribers and complaints by other Internet users. HDS believes that its customers should be able to enjoy full use of the Internet without interference by persons who use the Internet in an improper or unlawful manner.

    HDS will follow the Complaint Response Procedures described below to respond to complaints from subscribers and others about HDS subscribers.

    HDS will respond to any complaint that involves online activities that are Prohibited/Abusive Activities. In particular, HDS will respond to complaints that material stored on its system at the direction of one of its subscribers or for system caching purposes or to which HDS provides a link or other reference infringes another person's copyright as provided for in the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (a "Copyright Complaint") or otherwise violates the criminal or civil laws of the United States, the several states or a foreign country.

    How to Submit a Complaint
    1. Form of Complaint.

      Complaints may be submitted by e-mail (abuse@ninehells.com), or postal mail.

    2. What Information Should be Submitted.
      1. General Complaints
        1. The IP address used to commit the infraction.
        2. The date on which the infraction was committed.
        3. The time at which the infraction was committed (if applicable).
        4. The time zone relevant to the time and date items above (if applicable).
        5. Some evidence of the infraction.

        E-mail with full header information provides all of the above criteria. Syslog files usually provide all but (4). Other situations will require different methods of providing the above.

      2. Copyright Complaints

        If a complaining party wishes to make a Copyright Complaint, it should submit the following information:

        1. Identification of the copyrighted work claimed to be infringed (or if multiple works are claimed to be infringed at a single site, a representative list of such works).
        2. Identification of the material that is claimed to be infringing or in the case of a reference or link, identification of the reference or link to the allegedly infringing material. Please provide information sufficient to locate such material or reference or link on HDS's system
        3. The address, telephone number, and/or email address of the complaining party or its client.
        4. A statement that the complaining party or its client has a good faith belief that use of the allegedly infringing material is not authorized by the copyright owner, the owner's agent or the law.
        5. A statement that the information being given is accurate.
        6. If the complaining party is not the copyright owner, a statement, under penalty of perjury, that the complaining party is authorized to act on behalf of the copyright owner.
        7. A physical or electronic signature of a person authorized to act on behalf of the owner of an allegedly infringed exclusive right.
        8. If the material is stored on HDS's system for caching purposes, a statement confirming that the material has been removed or access-disabled from the originating site or that a court has ordered such removal or disabling.

        If HDS receives a Copyright Complaint containing the information specified above, it shall promptly remove or block access to such materials.

      3. Subscriber Counter Notice

        However, if the complaint arises out of a claim that the infringing material was stored on HDS's system at the direction of one of its subscribers, HDS shall attempt to notify the relevant HDS subscriber of the action taken. If the subscriber believes in good faith that the material was removed or access blocked as a result of a mistake or misidentification, that subscriber may send a counter notice to HDS's agent. Such counter notice should include the following:

        1. Identification of the material that has been removed or to which access has been blocked and the location on the HDS system where the material appeared.
        2. A statement under penalty of perjury that the subscriber has a good faith belief that the material was removed or disabled as a result of mistake or misidentification.
        3. The Subscriber's name, address and telephone number
        4. A statement that the subscriber consent to the jurisdiction of the U.S. District Court for the federal district in which the subscriber resides and that the subscriber will accept service of process from the complaining party or its agent.
        5. The Subscriber's physical or electronic signature.

        Upon receipt of such an appropriate counter notice, HDS shall promptly replace the removed material and/or cease disabling access to it unless HDS first receives appropriate notice from the complaining party that it has filed a law suit seeking a court order to restrain the subscriber from engaging in the allegedly infringing activity.

    Liability for Misrepresentations

    Please note that any person who knowingly misrepresents to HDS that material is infringing shall be liable to HDS and/or the alleged infringer for any damages (including costs and attorneys' fees) suffered or incurred by HDS and/or the alleged infringer as a result of HDS's relying on such misrepresentation and removing or disabling access to such material.

    Similarly, any person who knowingly misrepresents to HDS that the material was removed or access blocked by mistake or misidentification shall be liable to HDS and/or the copyright owner or its authorized licensee for any damages (including costs and attorneys. fees) suffered or incurred by HDS and/or the copyright owner or its authorized licensee as a result of HDS's relying on such misrepresentation and replacing such removed or blocked material.

    IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THESE POLICIES, YOU CAN CALL HDS CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT 608-345-8784.