Terms of Service

Last updated 1/9/2007

1. DEFINITIONS:

   (a)  "Subscriber," as used herein, means an individual, a corporation, or a legal entity who incurs usage charges for the Service for its own use or who incurs such charges on behalf of a third party, i.e., a User.

   (b)  "User," as used herein, means a Subscriber who uses Service or an individual, a corporation, or a legal entity whose Service usage charges are incurred by a third party, i.e., Subscriber.
   
   (c)  " Service Provider," as used herein, means a Provider of Services for a paticular network or service. The above listed Companys Providers listed in the document.
   
   

2. SERVICE:

   The Service Providers will provide Subscriber and its Users analog or digital access to the Internet, depending upon the rate plan selected (the "Service"), subject to conditions generally beyond the control of Service Provider, including the type and condition of the equipment (personal computer, modem, etc.) of Subscriber and/or its Users. Service may be temporarily unavailable or limited because of capacity limitations and may be temporarily interrupted or curtailed due to equipment modifications, upgrades, relocations, repairs, and similar activities necessary for the proper operation of Service.

3. ACCEPTABLE USAGE OF DIAL-UP ACCOUNTS:

   Subscriber and its Users agree to use dial-up accounts solely on an active "dial-up" basis, meaning only as needed and in no way on a standby or inactive basis in order to maintain a connection. Without limitation of the foregoing, Subscriber and its Users shall abide by the following provisions regarding usage

   (a)  A dial-up account may be used for World Wide Web browsing, reading or posting to Usenet (see Section 15 below) newsgroups, sending, receiving and reading electronic mail and transferring files via the file transfer protocol.

   (b)  A dial-up account shall not be used to host a dedicated server site on the Internet.

   (c)  A dial-up account shall not be accessed simultaneously by multiple users using the same User Name.

   (d)  A dial-up account shall have no more than three mailboxs for incoming electronic mail unless additional mailboxes have been purchased.

   (e)  Automated processes may not be used such as checking e-mail or pinging the host to maintain a constant connection.

   (f)  User Names will be issued to Subscriber by Service Provider based upon availability. If the User Name is surrendered by Subscriber for any reason, Service Provider shall not be obliged to reserve that name.

   (g)  Service Provider shall not be obligated to retain electronic mail for longer than one month.

4. ACCEPTABLE USAGE OF FIBER, WIRELESS AND BPL ACCOUNTS, KNOWN AS "BROADBAND":

   Subscriber and its Users shall abide by the following provisions regarding usage

   (a)  A Broadband account may be used for World Wide Web browsing, reading or posting to Usenet (see Section 15 below) newsgroups, sending, receiving and reading electronic mail and transferring files via the file transfer protocol.

   (b)  A Broadband account shall not be used to host a dedicated server or websites on the Internet.

   (c)  A Broadband account shall have no more than three mailboxs for incoming electronic mail unless additional mailboxes have been purchased.

   (d)  User Names will be issued to Subscriber by Service Provider based upon availability. If the User Name is surrendered by Subscriber for any reason, Service Provider shall not be obliged to reserve that name.

   (e)  Service Provider shall not be obligated to retain electronic mail for longer than one month.
   
   (f)   Any user found using P2P (also know as peer to peer services or bit torrent) to download any illegal media will have their account terminated. This includes, but is not limited to, all music, video files, pictures and software programs of any kind. Legal use of P2P service is permitted, such as public domain software and music.
   
   

5. INACTIVITY DISCONNECT POLICY:

   Service Provider reserves the right to disconnect a dial-up account after 60 minutes of inactivity, as detected by Service Provider through electronic means. This time is approximate and subject to change without notice in Service Provider's sole discretion. Electronic or mechanical means to avoid an inactivity disconnect are strictly prohibited. Electronic or mechanical means include, but are not limited to, "pinging" the mail server, employing electronic or software autodialer features to maintain an active connection or repeatedly checking for e-mail by autolog-in to the mail server. Service Provider reserves the right to electronically audit connections to enforce the above requirements.

6. ACCESS:

   Service access will be provided via a local telephone number and the PUD Fiber Network where available. Service Provider is not responsible for any toll or other charges in the event service access is not provided via a local telephone number, for instance, if service access is provided via a toll call. If a local telephone number is not available, the Service may be remotely accessed via an 800 series number at an additional charge.

7. PRICE:

   Subscriber shall pay to Service Provider the charges associated with the rate plan selected, including applicable taxes, 800 series number, etc. If service access is not provided via a local telephone number, Subscriber may also be responsible for toll or other charges. All prices are subject to change without notice.

8. PAYMENT:

   Subscriber shall be billed based on the billing method the Subscriber chooses at sign-up. The Subscriber may change their plan no later than 15 days before the end of their current billing cycle Payments will be deemed made when received by Service Provider . If the Subscriber is more than 45 days past due from the billing date, their service will be terminated without notice. All bills are due upon receipt and passed due after 30 days.

9. TERM AND TERMINATION:

   This Agreement becomes effective upon registration of Subscriber's login identification name and shall remain in effect for the period indicated in the rate plan selected or until terminated as provided herein. This Agreement shall continue in effect for consecutive additional terms following the Initial Term until either Party gives the other party online notice or other notice of termination at least thirty (15) calendar days prior to the expiration of the then-current term. In the event Subscriber terminates the Service hereunder, then without limitation to any other remedy Service Provider may have, Subscriber will pay to Service Provider upon discontinuance of the Service a termination charge equal to the applicable monthly rate times the number of months remaining in the term. If a Subscriber is in default of this agreement, Service Provider may terminate the Subscriber account without notice. It is the policy of Service Provider, Inc. to have a zero talerance when it comes to the terms and conditions of this agreement.

10. CREDIT: If you are not happy with the service you are recieving, you have 30 days from the start of your subsctiption to end that subscription. Service Provider will extend a full money back guarantee for only the first 30 days. If you are not happy with the service you have subscribed to, you must notify Service Provider before your initial 30 days are up to recieve a refund. There shall be no credits, reductions, or setoff against the charges for Service for downtime or interruption of Service unless such Service interruption exceeds 24 hours in duration. No adjustments shall be made by accumulating periods of non-continuous interruption. A credit allowance will not be given for mistakes, omissions, interruptions, delays, errors, defects or curtailments in the Service caused by the negligence or willful act of Subscriber or others, or mistakes, omissions, interruptions, delays, errors or defects caused by failure of equipment or of Service as described in Section 2.

11. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY:

    Service Provider SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR INTERRUPTIONS CAUSED BY FAILURE OF EQUIPMENT OR SERVICES NOT PROVIDED BY Service Provider, FAILURE OF COMMUNICATIONS, POWER OUTAGES, OR OTHER INTERRUPTION NOT WITHIN THE COMPLETE CONTROL OF Service Provider, NOR SHALL Service ProviderBE LIABLE FOR PERFORMANCE DEFICIENCIES CAUSED OR CREATED BY SUBSCRIBER'S OR ITS USERS' EQUIPMENT. SUBSCRIBER AND USER HEREBY RELEASE Service Provider FROM LIABILITY ARISING FROM ANY CONTENT ACCESSED VIA THE SERVICE. Service Provider'S PERFORMANCE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE EXCUSED IN CASE OF LABOR DIFFICULTIES, GOVERNMENTAL ORDERS, CIVIL COMMOTIONS, ACTS OF GOD, OR OTHER CONDITIONS OR CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND ITS REASONABLE CONTROL. Service Provider SHALL NOT BE LIABLE IF CHANGES IN OPERATION, PROCEDURES, OR SERVICES REQUIRE MODIFICATION OR ALTERATION OF SUBSCRIBER'S OR ITS USERS' EQUIPMENT, RENDER THE SAME OBSOLETE OR OTHERWISE AFFECT ITS PERFORMANCE. IN NO EVENT SHALL Service Provider BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOSS OF PROFITS, LOSS OF BUSINESS OR BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY, LOSS OF USE, ETC. THE LIABILITY OF Service Provider FOR ACTUAL PROVEN DAMAGES FOR ANY CAUSE WHATSOEVER, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY FAILURE OF OR DISRUPTION OF SERVICE, REGARDLESS OF THE FORM OF ACTION, WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR IN TORT OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE, SHALL BE LIMITED TO AN AMOUNT EQUIVALENT TO CHARGES PAYABLE BY SUBSCRIBER UNDER THIS AGREEMENT FOR THE SERVICE DURING THE PERIOD SUCH DAMAGES OCCUR. Service Provider MAKES NO OTHER WARRANTIES OR REPRESENTATIONS, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, CONCERNING THE SERVICE, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS WARRANTIES OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR USE OR PURPOSE, THE WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY AND ANY OTHER WARRANTY IMPLIED BY LAW.

12. INDEMNITY:

    Subscriber and User shall indemnify and hold harmless Service Provider from and against any loss, cost, claim, liability, damage, or expense (including reasonable attorneys' fees) to third parties, relating to or arising from the use of the Service by Subscriber, User, or any of their personnel, whether or not Subscriber or User has knowledge of or has authorized such access or use, including, without limitation, claims for libel, slander, invasion of privacy, infringement of copyright, patent infringement (where Subscriber or User has used, connected, or combined the Service with the products or services of others), negligence, or tortious behavior. Subscriber agrees to indemnify Service Provider along with any parties from whom Service Provider obtains network services, and to hold them harmless from any claims resulting from the use of the Service by Subscriber or its Users that damage another party or that violate the law.

13. SUBSCRIBER RESPONSIBILITY:

    Subscriber shall ensure that its Users shall comply with the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Any access to other networks connected to Service Provider's network must comply with the rules of the other networks. Subscriber shall not use or permit its end users to use the Services in ways that violate laws, infringe the rights of others, interfere with users of our network or other networks, or otherwise violate our Terms of Service set forth at. For example, you shall not distribute chain letters or unsolicited bulk electronic mail ("spamming"); propagate computer worms or viruses; use a false identity; attempt to gain unauthorized entry to any site or network; distribute child pornography, obscenity or defamatory material over the Internet; or infringe copyrights, trademarks or other intellectual property rights. Subscriber further agrees to comply with U.S. export laws concerning the transmission of technical data and other regulated materials via the Services.

14. USE OF SERVICE:

    Subscriber and its Users agree to abide by and comply with the following terms and conditions:

    (a) Misuse of Service: Subscriber and its Users shall not use the Service to make foul or profane expressions, to impersonate another person with fraudulent or malicious intent, to contact another person so as to annoy, abuse, threaten, or harass such other person, or for any purpose in violation of law, or in such a manner as to interfere unreasonably with the use of the Service by any of Service Provider's customers. Subscriber and its Users shall not distribute chain letters or "junk" mail (any unsolicited mail of a business or commercial nature) or engage in "Ponzi" or "pyramid" schemes. The Service and underlying network may only be used for lawful purposes. Transmission of any material in violation of any U.S. or state regulation is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to: copyrighted material, material which is threatening or obscene, or material protected by trade secret. In addition, Service Provider generally reserves the right in its sole discretion to either temporarily discontinue, or permanently terminate furnishing the Service upon notice to Customer in the event Customer uploads any information that is libelous, defamatory or that violates or infringes any right of privacy of any Persons; uploads any messages, data, images or programs that are indecent, obscene or pornographic; use the facilities and capabilities of Service Provider to conduct or solicit the performance of any illegal activity or to conduct any other activity that infringes the rights of Service Provider or any third party; or upload any information, messages, data, images or programs that is discriminatory or otherwise offensive as determined by Service Provider in its sole discretion.

    (b) INTERFERENCE WITH THE RIGHTS OF THIRD PARTIES:

    In the event that Service Provider receives notice from a third party, or in the event that Service Provider reasonably believes, that Subscriber's or any User's use of the Service, either alone or in connection with products or services of others, constitutes, causes, results in, induces or contributes to either (i) defamation, invasion of privacy, or unfair competition, or (ii) misuse, misappropriation or infringement of any patent, copyright, trademark, trade secret or other proprietary or intellectual property right of such third party, then Service Provider shall have the right, in its sole and exclusive option and discretion, without prior notification to Subscriber or to User(s), and without limiting any other rights or remedies Service Provider might have or incurring any obligation or liability to Subscriber or to User(s), to temporarily discontinue or permanently terminate, in whole or in part, furnishing of Services to Subscriber or to User(s).

    (c) Usenet Policy and Posting Restrictions: Usenet comprises a system of bulletin boards called newsgroups. Usenet access is provided to dial-up customers of Service Provider. Subscriber and its Users shall not post to newsgroups until they have familiarized themselves with the subjects and established guidelines and restrictions of the newsgroup. All such Usenet guidelines and restrictions are hereby incorporated herein by reference and Subscriber and its Users unconditionally agree to adhere to them. These guidelines and restrictions include, but are not limited to, the following:

    - Only post articles that are relevant to the newsgroup. Inappropriate or irrelevant postings are not appreciated by participants of newsgroups nor are they allowed under Usenet protocols.

    - Most newsgroups do not allow commercial postings. Users should verify this restriction before making any such posting.

    - Blanket postings to all or large numbers of newsgroups simultaneously with disregard to the newsgroups' subject are forbidden.

    - Chain letters are not allowed to be posted.

    - Unauthorized creation of newsgroups is prohibited.

    (d) Harm To Equipment, Software and Processes: Subscribers agree unconditionally to not cause harm to Service Provider or third party equipment, software, or processes used in connection with furnishing the Service. In addition to constituting a default under this Agreement, any breach of this provision may result in civil and/or criminal penalties pursuant to applicable local, state and federal law.

    (e) Content, Accuracy of Information: Service Provider and its affiliates, along with any parties from whom Service Provider obtains network services, exercises no control whatsoever over the content of the information passing through Service Provider's network. Service Provider makes no warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, for the content of the information passing through its network. Use of any information obtained via the Service Provider network is at Subscriber's and its Users' own risk or the risk of their affiliates. Service Provider specifically denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through its Service.

    (f) Offensive and/or Harmful Information: The Internet hosts some material deemed unfit for viewing and reading by minors under the age of 18. Some sites contain information both in text and graphical formats that Subscriber and/or Users may consider obscene and/or harmful. Subscriber and/or Users agree to not hold Service Provider responsible for sites and postings that could be considered obscene, lewd, offensive, and/or harmful. Subscribers are responsible for their own monitoring and viewing habits and their Users, including minors. Service Provider does not block, filter or screen postings or sites on the Internet in whole or in part.

15. DEFAULT:

    Upon a default by Subscriber Service Provider may, in its sole discretion, without prior notification and without limiting its remedies or incurring any liability to Subscriber, either temporarily discontinue or permanently terminate the furnishing of Service to Subscriber in whole or in part. "Default" means any failure by Subscriber to comply with any term of this Agreement, including without limitation, failure to make timely payment of any amount due Service Provider or failure to comply with the restrictions on use of Service set forth in Section 13. Where Subscriber's equipment is used with Service provided by Service Provider in violation of any of the provisions herein, Service Provider will notify Subscriber and take such action as is necessary for the protection of the Service for use by its other customers. Subscriber shall discontinue such use of the equipment or correct the violation immediately and shall confirm in writing to Service Provider within five days that such use has ceased or that the violation has been corrected, and if Subscriber fails to do so, Service Provider will disconnect Subscriber's Service, without any credit allowance, until such time as Subscriber complies with the provisions hereof. Service Provider reserves the right to charge a reconnect fee for any discontinued Service that is subsequently reconnected.

16. NO WARRANTIES.

    Service Provider makes no warranties, express or implied, with respect to the Services provided pursuant to this Agreement, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties or merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. No representation or statement made by Service Provider or any of its agents or employees, oral or written, including, but not limited to, any specifications, descriptions or statements provided or made to Customer by Service Provider shall be binding upon Service Provider as a warranty or otherwise.

17. EQUIPMENT:

    Subscriber shall be responsible to provide for the proper installation, operation, and maintenance of Subscriber's equipment used in connection with the Service, and Subscriber shall ensure that such equipment is technically and operationally compatible with the Service and in compliance with applicable Federal Communications Commission rules and regulations.

18. RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES:

    (a) The parties desire to resolve disputes arising out of this Agreement without litigation. Accordingly, except for action seeking a temporary restraining order or injunction related to the purposes of this Agreement, or suit to compel compliance with this dispute resolution process, the parties agree to use the following alternative dispute resolution procedure as their sole remedy with respect to any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its breach.

    (b) At the written request of a party, each party will appoint a knowledgeable, responsible representative to meet and negotiate in good faith to resolve any dispute arising under this Agreement. The parties intend that these negotiations be conducted by non-lawyer, business representatives. The location, format, frequency, duration, and conclusion of these discussions shall be left to the discretion of the representatives. Upon agreement, the representatives may utilize other alternative dispute resolution procedures such as mediation to assist in the negotiations. Discussions and correspondence among the representatives for purposes of these negotiations shall be treated as confidential information developed for purposes of settlement, exempt from discovery and production, which shall not be admissible in the arbitration described below or in any lawsuit without the concurrence of all parties. Documents identified in or provided with such communications that are not prepared for purposes of the negotiations are not so exempted and may, if otherwise admissible, be admitted in evidence in the arbitration or lawsuit.

    (c) If the negotiations do not resolve the dispute within 60 days of the initial written request, the dispute shall be submitted to binding arbitration by a single arbitrator pursuant to the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. A party may demand such arbitration in accordance with the procedures set out in those rules. Discovery shall be controlled by the arbitrator and shall be permitted to the extent set out in this section. Each party may submit in writing to a party, and that party shall so respond, to a maximum of any combination of 35 (none of which may have subparts) of the following: interrogatories, demands to produce documents and requests for admission. Each party is also entitled to take the oral deposition of one individual of another party. Additional discovery may be permitted upon mutual agreement of the parties. The arbitration hearing shall be commenced within 60 days of the demand for arbitration. The arbitration shall be held in Wenatchee, Wasthington. The arbitrator shall control the scheduling so as to process the matter expeditiously. The parties may submit written briefs. The arbitrator shall rule on the dispute by issuing a written opinion within 30 days after the close of hearings. The times specified in this section may be extended upon mutual agreement of the parties or by the arbitrator upon a showing of good cause. Judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction.

    (d) Each party shall bear its own costs of these procedures. A party seeking discovery shall reimburse the responding party the costs of production of documents (to include search time and reproduction costs). The parties shall equally split the fees of the arbitration and the arbitrator.

19. MISCELLANEOUS:

    This Agreement shall be governed by, construed under, and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the state of Washington. In the event of a conflict between this Agreement and any applicable tariff, the tariff shall prevail. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid or unenforceable, the validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby. This Agreement embodies the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, whether written or oral, and all contemporaneous oral agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof. Service Provider may amend the terms and conditions of this Agreement by giving Subscriber 30 days' prior online notice. This Agreement is subject to modification by any authorized regulatory agency. Service Provider may assign this Agreement without limitation, but Subscriber may not assign this Agreement without Service Provider's prior written consent. This Agreement shall be binding on the parties hereto and their respective personal and legal representatives, successors, and permitted assigns.