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INTERNET
NETWORK ACCESS AND SERVICE AGREEMENT
1.0. In
General.
United Telephone
Mutual Aid Corporation, a cooperative organized and existing
under the laws of the State of North Dakota and having
a principal place of business at 411 7th Avenue, Langdon,
North Dakota 58249, (Access Provider) will provide you
access to the Internet, Digital Subscriber Line services(DSL),
Wireless Broadband services, and/or other services to the
best of Access Provider's ability. Accounts are for our
direct customer's use only and are not for resale. We reserve
the right to terminate any account for any reason. BY COMPLETING
THE ENROLLMENT PROCESS AND USING ACCESS PROVIDER'S SERVICES
YOU HAVE AGREED TO BE LEGALLY BOUND TO ABIDE BY THE TERMS
OF THIS SERVICE AGREEMENT WHETHER OR NOT YOU HAVE PERSONALLY
READ AND/OR SIGNED EACH DOCUMENT. Access Provider is a
computer on-line, interactive information, communication
and transaction service provider. The services provided
by Access Provider (the Services) are available to an authorized
customer (Customer, Customers or you) through a customer
account; it is accessible through a personal computer and
a communications device (e.g., Modem, telephone line).
1.1. Please
read this document carefully. This document governs the
responsibilities of the Customer in his or her interaction
with Access Provider and the Internet.
1.2. If you
do not wish to be bound by these documents then you are
not permitted to continue to use the Services. If this
is the case, then you must immediately terminate your customer
account and are forbidden from using the Services.
1.3. Access
Provider reserves the right to modify this Service Agreement
at any time and in any manner. Any modification is effective
immediately upon either a posting on the Access Provider's
Home Page, or by sending notice of modification to you
via electronic mail or conventional mail. If any modification
of this Service Agreement is unacceptable to you, you may
immediately terminate your customer account as provided
in Section 7 below. Your continued use of the Services
following a modification of the Service Agreement shall
be conclusively deemed as acceptance of such modification.
1.4. Customer
acknowledges that he has been informed of the terms of
this Service Agreement. This document is also available
to read on-line or for downloading and review at Customer's
convenience or through mail upon request.
1.5. This Service
Agreement constitutes the entire and ONLY agreement between
Access Provider and Customer with respect to the Services.
Access Provider reserves the right to alter any aspect
of the Services including, but not limited to, (1) restricting
the time available per Customer; (2) restricting the availability
and/or scope of the Services for certain platforms (i.e.
computer types and operating systems); (3) restricting
the amount of use permitted; (4) restricting the information
available to Customers (e.g. news groups, BBS groups; and
(5) restricting or terminating any Customer's right to
use the Services in Access Provider's sole discretion and
without prior notice of liability. Access Provider also
reserves the right to change or add any fees or surcharges
at any time effective upon thirty (30) days' prior notice.
2.0. Customer
Responsibility.
2.1. Connect
Charges. Customer is responsible for all charges (e.g.,
telephone fees ) associated with connecting to the Services.
2.2. Equipment.
Customer is responsible for obtaining or providing all
telephone access lines, telephone and computer equipment
(including modem), or other access device, necessary to
access the Services.
2.3. Registration.
Customer certifies that he or she is either a corporation,
partnership or limited liability company authorized by
Access Provider to be a customer of the system, or an individual
either above age eighteen (18) or a minor whose parent
or legal guardian has consented to allow you to become
a Customer. A minor's parent or legal guardian has authorized
the minor's use on Customer's account under adult supervision
and with the assumption of liabilities resulting from minor's
use. Access Provider may, at its discretion, enter into
a special billing arrangement with employers or other entities.
Customer agrees to provide Access Provider with accurate,
complete and updated information required by the registration
process contained in this Service Agreement, including
Customer's legal name, address, telephone number(s) and
applicable payment date (i.e., credit card number, expiration
date, checking account information). Customer agrees to
notify Access Provider within thirty (30) days of any changes
in Customer registration data. Failure to comply with this
provision will result in immediate suspension or termination
of the Customer's use of the Services.
2.4. Accounts/Charges/Payments.
(a) Accounts.
This Service Agreement applies to all sub-accounts and
alternate screen names associated with Customer's principal
account(s) (Master Account(s)). Each Customer is responsible
for all activities and charges resulting from the use of
Customer's Master Account(s) by any person and for ensuring
complete compliance with this Service Agreement by all
users of his or her Master Account(s). The Access Provider's
Master Account(s) may not be transferred without prior
written approval from Access Provider and is subject to
any limitations established by Access Provider.
(b) Passwords.
Upon your enrollment as a Customer, you will select a unique
e-mail log-in and Access Provider will assign you your
own password. For security purposes, Access Provider may
occasionally change your log-in password and will notify
you of such a change through regular mail. Customer is
responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of his
or her password and is liable for any harm resulting from
disclosing or allowing disclosure of any password. Customers
are not authorized to distribute their passwords to anyone.
If a Customer does so he or she remains liable to Access
Provider (and any other person or entity) for any and all
damages caused whether he or she knew about the actions
of the person to whom such password(s) was disclosed. In
addition, Access Provider will in no way be liable for
any damages caused to the Customer who revealed his or
her password to another nor will Access Provider be liable
to any third parties who may be damaged as a result of
the password disclosure and for actions of the person to
whom the password was disclosed. In the event of a breach
of security, Customer will remain liable for any unauthorized
use of the Services until Customer notifies Access Provider
by e-mail at utc @ utma.com or by calling Access Provider
at (701) 256-5156.
(c) Payment.
Current rates, terms and methods of payment including applicable
penalties for late charges associated with using the Services
are as follows:
(i) Customer
will pay his or her account on a monthly basis. Payment
is due immediately upon receipt of the invoice provided
to the Customer by the Access Provider
(ii) Thereafter,
Customer will be invoiced either on the first or the fifteenth
day of every month according to the rate plan selected.
Should Customer's usage exceed the designated rate plan,
the excess amount will be invoiced, along with the Customer's
normal monthly fee, on the first or the fifteenth day of
each month.
(iii) Access
Provider offers all Customers technical support in order
to assist the Customer in accessing his or her account.
Technical support is offered either via on-line assistance
or over the telephone. Access Provider has standard hours
for technical support; Monday through Friday from 9:00
a.m. to 5:00 p.m. local time in Langdon, North Dakota.
(iv) Fees
are subject to change. Customer will be notified by postal
or electronic mail thirty (30) days before said rate change
is to take effect and will have fifteen (15) days from
date of the mailing of the rate increase to notify Access
Provider of cancellation of said contract due to a rate
change. Should no written cancellation (via postal or facsimile
mail) be received by Access Provider in that time, Customer
understands and agrees to be bound by the higher rate beginning
in the next billing cycle.
(v) In addition
to the above, Customer is also entitled to cancel (via
postal or facsimile mail) at any time for any reason. However,
[monthly/quarterly/ annual) fees already charged shall
not be refunded, nor is the Customer entitled to any refund
for any unused portion of the monthly charges. Any amounts
exceeding Customer's rate shall be automatically invoiced
prior to said cancellation.
(vi) If a Customer's
account remains overdue or where the Customer's check has
been dishonored, or where Customer's credit card is dishonored,
Access Provider reserves the right to suspend Customer's
account until the entire outstanding balance has been paid
and to charge the Customer a re-connect fee.
(vii) Customer
shall be responsible for all sales, use, value added, personal
property or other governmental tax or levy imposed on the
goods or services billed to his or her Master Account(s),
other than taxes based on net income or profits of Access
Provider.
2.5. On-Line
Conduct. Any conduct by a Customer that in Access Provider's
sole discretion restricts or inhibits any other Customer
from using or enjoying the Services will not be permitted.
Customer agrees to use the Services solely for lawful purposes.
Customer is prohibited from posting on or transmitting
through the Services any unlawful, harmful, threatening,
abusive, harassing, defamatory, vulgar, obscene, profane,
hateful, racially ethnically or otherwise objectionable
material of any kind, including but not limited to any
material which encourages conduct that would constitute
a criminal offense, give rise to civil liability, or otherwise
violate any applicable local, state, national or international
law. Access Provider reserves the right to suspend or terminate
any Customer whose actions are in violations of acceptable
on-line conduct, the determination of which resides in
Access Provider's sole discretion.
2.6. Content.
(a) Distribution/Uploading
of Third Party Content. Customer may upload software files
or otherwise distribute on the Services only information,
software, photos, video, graphics, music, sounds or other
material (collectively known as Content) that is not subject
to any copyright or other proprietary rights protection
(collectively known as Public Domain Content), or Content
in which the author has given express authorization for
on-line distribution. Any copyrighted Content submitted
with the consent of the owner should contain a phrase such
as "Copyright owned by [insert name of owner); Used by
Permission." The unauthorized submission of copyrighted
or other proprietary Content constitutes a breach of this
Service Agreement and could subject you to criminal prosecution
as well as personal liability for damages in a civil suit.
The Customer, not Access Provider or its employees or independent
contractors, are liable for all damages arising from such
submission. By submitting Content to be included or uploaded
to a Home Page or Web Site created by Access Provider or
another entity for inclusion in the Services or by submitting
such Content to any "Public Area" (i.e., those areas of
the Services that are generally accessible to other Customers
and non-Customers, such as Home Pages, chat rooms, message
boards, and file uploads), you automatically grant, or
warrant that the owner of such Content has expressly granted
Access Provider the royalty free, perpetual, irrevocable,
non-exclusive right and license to use, reproduce, modify,
adapt, publish, translate and distribute the Content (in
whole or in part) worldwide and/or to incorporate it in
any other works in any form, media, or technology now known
or hereafter developed for the full term of any copyright
that may exist in such Content. You also permit any Customer
to access, view, store, or reproduce the Content for that
Customer's personal use. Subject to this grant, the owner
of Content placed on the Services retains any and all rights
which may exist in such Content.
(b) Export.
The United States export control laws regulate the export
and re-export of technology originating in the United States.
This includes the electronic transmission of information
and software to foreign countries and to certain foreign
nationals. Customer agrees to abide by these laws, including
but not limited to the Export Administration Act, the Arms
Export Control Act and their implementing regulations.
Customer agrees not to transfer, by electronic transmission
or otherwise, any Content derived from the Services to
either a foreign national or a foreign destination without
first obtaining the required government authorization.
Customer further agrees not to upload to the Services any
data or software that cannot be exported without the prior
written government authorization, including but not limited
to certain types of encryption software. This assurance
and commitment shall survive termination of this Service
Agreement. In addition, the United States export control
laws currently prohibit nationals of Cuba, Iran, Libya,
North Korea and Syria from gaining access to certain Content
on the Services at this time.
(c) Benefit
of Provisions. The foregoing provisions of Section 2.6
are to the benefit of Access Provider and its employees
and independent third-party information providers (Information
Providers), merchants (Merchants) and licensors (Licensors),
and each shall have the right and enforce such provisions
directly on their own behalf.
2.7. Third-Party
Consent. Access Provider is a distributor (and not a publisher)
of Content supplied by third parties and Customers. Accordingly,
Access Provider has no more editorial control over such
Content than does a public library, bookstore or newsstand.
Any opinions, advice statements, services, offers or other
information or Content expressed or made available by third
parties, including Information Providers, Merchants, Customers
or any other user of the Services, are those of the respective
author(s) or distributor(s) and not of Access Provider.
Neither Access Provider nor any third party provider of
information guarantees the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness
of any Content nor its merchantability or fitness for a
particular purpose. Section 5 below contains the complete
provisions governing the limitation of liabilities and
disclaimers of warranty. In many instances, the Content
available through the Services represents the opinions
and judgments of the respective Information Provider, Customer,
or other user not under contract with Access Provider.
Access Provider neither endorses nor is responsible for
the accuracy or reliability of any opinion, advice or statement
made on the Services by anyone other than authorized Access
Provider employee spokespersons while acting in their official
capacities. Under no circumstances will Access Provider
by liable for any loss or damage caused by Customer's reliance
on information obtained through the Services. It is the
responsibility of Customer to evaluate the accuracy, completeness
or usefulness of any information, opinion, advice or other
Content available through the Services. Please seek the
advice of professionals, as appropriate, regarding the
evaluation of any specific information, opinion, advice,
or other Content.
2.8. Retention
of Files. Customer is responsible for retention of all
files, information, data and other materials as may be
necessary for reconstruction of any files, information
material or messages lost or misplaced by Access Provider.
2.9. Compliance
with Applicable Laws. Customer hereby acknowledges that
the Internet is governed by applicable state, federal and
international laws, that such laws are currently evolving
and may well continue to evolve for some time to come.
Customer understands and agrees that it is the Customer's
SOLE responsibility to educate himself as to the applicable
laws and to govern his actions accordingly. Notwithstanding
the above, Customer agrees to conform his conduct to all
applicable state, federal and international laws and the
NSFNET policy will be grounds for termination of his or
her account with Access Provider.
3.0. Third-Party
Sales and Services. Customer may order and purchase
merchandise or services from other Customers and users
of the Services who are not affiliated with Access Provider.
All transactions concerning third-party (Merchant) goods
or services, including, but not limited to, purchase
terms, payment terms, warranties, guarantees, maintenance
and delivery, are solely between Merchant and Customer.
Access Provider makes no warranties or representations
whatsoever with regard to any good or service provided
by and Merchant. Access Provider shall not be a party
to any transaction between Customer and Merchants, or
be liable for any cost or damage arising either directly
or indirectly from any action or inaction of any Merchant.
4.0. Access
Provider's Rights.
4.1. Access
Provider may elect to monitor electronically any and all
traffic which utilizes the Services. This monitoring may
include public as well as private communications and data
transfers from our Customers and to our Customers as well
as any and all communications and data transfers to and
from any other Internet sites. Access Provider will monitor
our Customers and those who use or transmit communications
or other data over the Services to try and ensure adherence
to international, federal, state and local laws as well
as this Service Agreement. Furthermore, Access Provider
shall also monitor and disclose any Content, records or
electronic communication of any kind (1) to satisfy any
law, regulation or authorized governmental request; (2)
if such disclosure is necessary to operate the Services;
or (3) to protect the rights or property of Access Provider,
its Customers, or Information Providers or Merchants. The
monitoring and disclosure activities of Access Provider
may negate the privacy protections which the Customer would
otherwise enjoy under federal and state law, including
the Electronic Privacy Communications Act. Customer specifically
agrees that Access Provider may do so and Customer understands
that he or she is giving up privacy rights which he or
she would otherwise be entitled to under state law.
4.2. Access
Provider reserves the right to prohibit conduct, communications
or Content which it deems in its sole discretion, to be
harmful to individual Customers, the Access Provider's
or other third parties' rights or to violate applicable
law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither Access Provider
nor its Information Providers have the practical ability
to restrict conduct, communication or Content which might
violate its Service Agreement prior to transmission on
the Services, nor can they ensure prompt editing or removal
of questionable Content after on-line posting. Accordingly,
neither Access Provider nor any Information Provider shall
assume liability for any action or inaction with respect
to conduct, communication or Content on the Services.
4.3. Access
Provider may monitor or disclose any private electronic
communication where permitted or required by law or necessary
to protect the rights and interest of Access Provider as
discussed in Section 4.1 hereof. Access Provider may terminate
immediately without notice any Customer who misuses or
fails to abide by this Service Agreement, including without
limitations, misuse of the software libraries, discussion
boars, e-mail or conference areas.
4.4. Access
Provider reserves the rights to distribute to Merchants
or third parties certain general information about its
Customers such as the Customer's name and mailing address
unless the Customer specifically elects to keep such information
confidential. In order to do so, Customer must select the "Do
Not Distribute Information to Merchants or Third Parties" box
at the end of this Service Agreement. Access Provider will
not distribute specific billing information (i.e., credit
card information and/or checking account numbers).
5.0. Limitation
of Liability
and disclaimer of Warranty.
5.1. CUSTOMER
EXPRESSLY AGREES THAT USE OF THE SERVICES IS AT CUSTOMER'S
SOLE RISK. NEITHER ACCESS PROVIDER, ITS EMPLOYEES, AFFILIATES,
AGENTS, THIRD-PARTY INFORMATION PROVIDERS, MERCHANTS, LICENSORS
OR THE LIKE WARRANT THAT THE SERVICES WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED
OR ERROR FREE; NOR DO THEY MAKE ANY WARRANTY AS TO THE
RESULTS THAT MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE USE OF THE SERVICES
OR AS TO THE ACCURACY, RELIABILITY OR CONTENT OF ANY INFORMATION,
SERVICE OR MERCHANDISE PROVIDED THROUGH THE SERVICES. WHILE
ACCESS PROVIDER IS DEDICATED TO PROVIDE LOCAL DIAL-UP SERVICES
IN ITS SERVICE AREA, NEITHER ACCESS PROVIDER NOR ANY OF
ITS INDEPENDENT NETWORK SERVICE PROVIDERS MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS
OR WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, THAT ANY AVAILABLE
ACCESS NUMBER WILL BE A LOCAL CALL FROM YOUR AREA CODE
AND EXCHANGE.
5.2. THE SERVICES
ARE PROVIDED AS AN "AS IS," "AS AVAILABLE" BASIS WITHOUT
WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING
BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF TITLE OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES
OR MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE,
OTHER THAN THOSE WARRANTIES THAT ARE IMPLIED BY AND INCAPABLE
OF EXCLUSION, RESTRICTION OR MODIFICATION UNDER THE LAWS
APPLICABLE TO THIS AGREEMENT. NO ORAL ADVICE OR WRITTEN
INFORMATION GIVEN BY ACCESS PROVIDER, ITS EMPLOYEES, AGENTS,
THIRD-PARTY INFORMATION PROVIDERS, MERCHANTS, LICENSORS
OR THE LIKE SHALL CREATE A WARRANTY, NOR SHALL CUSTOMER
RELY ON ANY SUCH INFORMATION OR ADVICE
5.3. UNDER
NO CIRCUMSTANCES, INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE, SHALL ACCESS PROVIDER
OR ANYONE ELSE INVOLVED IN CREATING, PRODUCING OR DISTRIBUTING
THE SERVICE BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL,
SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES THAT RESULT FROM THE USE
OF OR INABILITY TO USE THE SERVICE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED
TO RELIANCE BY A CUSTOMER ON ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED ON
THE SERVICES, OR THAT RESULT FROM ANY MISTAKES, OMISSIONS,
INTERRUPTIONS, DELETION OF FILES OR E-MAIL, ERRORS, DEFECTS,
VIRUSES, DELAYS IN OPERATION, OR TRANSMISSION, OR ANY FAILURE
OF PERFORMANCE, WHETHER OR NOT LIMITED TO ACTS OF GOD,
COMMUNICATIONS FAILURE, THEFT, DESTRUCTION OR UNAUTHORIZED
ACCESS TO ACCESS PROVIDER'S RECORDS, PROGRAMS OR SERVICES.
CUSTOMER HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THIS PARAGRAPH 5.3 SHALL
APPLY TO ALL CONTENT, MERCHANDISE OR SERVICES AVAILABLE
THROUGH THE SERVICES. BECAUSE SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW
THE EXCLUSION OF OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL
OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, IN SUCH STATES ACCESS PROVIDER'S
LIABILITY IS LIMITED TO THE GREATEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY
LAW.
5.4. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, in no event shall the total liability of
Access Provider or its employees, affiliates, agents, third-party
Information Providers, Merchants or Licensors, for all
damages, losses and causes of action whether in contract,
tort, including negligence, or otherwise, either jointly
or severally, exceed the aggregate amount paid by Customer
to Access Provider in the twelve (12) months prior to the
claimed injury or damage. The foregoing provisions of this
Section 5 are for the benefit of Access Provider, its employees,
directors, affiliates, agents, Information Providers, Merchants
and Licensors, and each shall have the right to assert
and enforce these provisions directly on their own behalf.
6.0. Indemnification.
6.1. Upon request
of Access Provider, Customer agrees to defend, indemnify
and hold harmless Access Provider and its officers, directors,
employees, agents, third-party Information Providers, Merchants
and Licensors, from any claims and expenses, including
but not limited to, reasonable attorney's fees, related
to any violation of this Service Agreement by use of Customer's
Master Account(s), disclosure by Customer of his or her
password(s) to another, or in connection with the placement
or transmission by or through Customer of any Content on
the Services and the services of its third-party Information
Providers, Merchants and Licensors.
7.0. Termination.
7.1. Either
customer or Access Provider may terminate Customer at any
time and for any reason. Customer's only right with respect
to any dissatisfaction with either (1) the terms of this
Service Agreement, policy guidelines or practices of Access
Provider in operating the Services; (2) content available
through the Services or changes therein; or (3) changes
in the amount or type of fees charged in connection with
the Services, is to terminate Customer by delivering notice
to Access Provider effective the day Access Provider receives
notification of termination or such specified future that
may be acceptable to Access Provider. In the event that
Customer's account is terminated or canceled, any on-line
time credited to Customer's Master Account(s) is not convertible
to cash or any other form of credit.
7.2. Access
Provider may terminate Customer, or suspend any individual
Customer's access to all or part of the Services, without
notice, for any conduct that Access Provider, in its sole
discretion, believes violates this Service Agreement, interferes
with another Customer's enjoyment of the Services, or is
otherwise harmful to another customer, third-party Information
Provider, Merchant, Licensor, service provider or Access
Provider's interests.
7.3. Termination
of Customer automatically terminates service to all other
users or sub-accounts under Customer's Master Account(s).
Upon termination of Customer, Customer shall have no right
to (1) access any stored Content on the Services and any
such Content will be forfeited; (2) any user time, game
or other credit(s) and such credit(s) will be forfeited;
(3) third-party merchandise or services and Access Provider
shall have no responsibility to notify any third-party
Merchants, nor for any consequences resulting from lack
of notification. Termination or suspension by Access Provider
automatically terminates or suspends, as the case may be,
Customer's license to use the Services. In the case of
termination, Customer remains bound by Sections 2, 5, 6
and 8 herein.
8.0. Miscellaneous.
8.1. In the
event that any portion of this Service Agreement is held
to be unenforceable, the invalid or unenforceable portion
shall be construed in accordance with applicable law as
nearly as possible to reflect the original intentions of
the parties, and the remainder of this Service Agreement
shall remain in full for and effect. The paragraph headings
herein are provided only for reference and shall have no
effect on the construction or interpretation of this Service
Agreement.
8.2. The failure
to insist upon or enforce strict performance by the other
party of any provision of this Service Agreement shall
not be construed as a waiver of any provision or right.
Neither the course of conduct between parties nor trade
practice shall act to modify any provision of this Service
Agreement.
8.3. This Service
Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of North Dakota, except with
regard to its conflicts of law rules. Each party irrevocably
consents to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of
the State of North Dakota and the federal courts situated
in the State of North Dakota in connection with any action
arising under this Service Agreement or relating to the
Services. Any cause of action of Customer or its authorized
user(s) with respect to the Services must be commenced
within one (1) year after the claim or cause of action
arose or said cause of action shall be barred.
Modified 10-26-2001(jm)
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