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A Directory of Northeast Ohio Web Sites |
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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 the Internet, 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 IdeaStar cannot monitor, verify, warrant, or vouch for the accuracy and quality of the information that subscribers may 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 is sexually explicit or otherwise offensive. Because IdeaStar cannot monitor or censor the Internet, and will not attempt to do so, IdeaStar cannot accept any responsibility for injury to its subscribers that results from inaccurate, unsuitable, offensive, or illegal Internet communications. When subscribers disseminate information through the Internet, they also must keep in mind that IdeaStar 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 they create is carried over IdeaStar's network and may reach a large number of people, including both subscribers and non-subscribers of IdeaStar, subscribers' postings to the Internet may affect other subscribers and may harm IdeaStar's goodwill, business reputation, and operations. For these reasons, subscribers violate IdeaStar policy and the service agreement when they, their customers, affiliates, or subsidiaries engage in the following prohibited activities:
IdeaStar also is aware that many of its subscribers are also providers of Internet services, and that information reaching IdeaStar's facilities from those subscribers may have originated from a customer of the subscriber or from another third-party. IdeaStar does not require its subscribers who offer Internet services to monitor or censor transmissions or Web sites created by customers of its subscribers. IdeaStar reserves the right to take action directly against a customer of a subscriber. Also, IdeaStar may take action against the IdeaStar subscriber due to activities of a customer of the subscriber, even though the action may affect other customers of the subscriber. Similarly, IdeaStar anticipates that subscribers who offer Internet services will cooperate with IdeaStar in any corrective or preventive action that IdeaStar deems necessary. Failure to cooperate with such corrective or preventive measures is a violation of IdeaStar policy. IdeaStar is concerned with the privacy of on-line communications and Web sites. In general, the Internet is neither more nor less secure than other means of communication, including mail, facsimile, and voice telephone service, all of which can be intercepted and otherwise compromised. As a matter of prudence, however, IdeaStar urges its subscribers to assume that all of their on-line communications are insecure. IdeaStar cannot take any responsibility for the security of information transmitted over IdeaStar's facilities. IdeaStar will not intentionally monitor private electronic mail messages sent or received by its subscribers unless required to do so by law, governmental authority, or when public safety is at stake. IdeaStar may, however, monitor its service electronically to determine that its facilities are operating satisfactorily. Also, IdeaStar 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. IdeaStar assumes no 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, IdeaStar may disclose subscriber information or information transmitted over its network where necessary to protect IdeaStar and others from harm, or where such disclosure is necessary to the proper operation of the system. IdeaStar expects that its subscribers who provide Internet services to others will comply fully with all applicable laws concerning the privacy of on-line communications. A subscriber's failure to comply with those laws will violate IdeaStar policy. Finally, IdeaStar wishes to emphasize that in signing the service agreement, subscribers indemnify and hold IdeaStar harmless, for any violation of the service agreement, law, or IdeaStar policy that results in loss to IdeaStar or the bringing of any claim against IdeaStar by any third-party. This means that if IdeaStar is sued because of a subscriber's activity, or the activity of a customer of a subscriber, the subscriber will be responsible for any damages awarded, plus costs and reasonable attorneys' fees. We hope this
AUP is helpful in clarifying the obligations of Internet users, including
IdeaStar and its subscribers, as responsible members of the Internet.
Any complaints about a subscriber's violation of this AUP should be sent
to abuse@ideastar.com. |
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