Local Access Acceptable Use Policy

Introduction

As your ISP (Internet Service Provider), Local Access Internet Services provides you with the means to access an unprecedented variety and quantity of information. At the same time, your Local Access account gives you the ability to disseminate information to millions of people around the world. This capacity to receive and distribute information is wonderful, but it carries with it some new responsibilities and risks.

This policy is intended to minimize potential harm to Local Access users as well as preserve valuable, limited Internet resources and maximize the enjoyment of the Internet for everyone. We want you to enjoy your Internet account but Local Access would like all its users to fully understand the risks and obligations associated with the ability to access so much information and reach so many people, so we have outlined them in "plain English" in this document known as our "Acceptable Use Policy". All Local Access users are required to be familiar with, understand and accept this policy. If you continue to use the Internet through Local Access, it will be assumed that you understand and accept the policy.

Since Local Access can, under some circumstances be held liable for the actions of its users and since actions of users can cause harm to an ISP's equipment and have a negative impact on service provided to other Local Access users, if you violate this policy, Local Access reserves the right to take whatever actions are necessary to enforce compliance, including, at our option, the termination of the user's account. In addition, by continuing to use the services of Local Access, thereby indicating that this policy is understood and accepted, subscribers agree to indemnify Local Access for any damages and costs suffered by Local Access as a result of the subscribers' violation of this policy or any law or regulation not covered by the policy.

It is important for users to understand that no one, neither Local Access nor anyone else, owns or controls the Internet. This very basic fact is what has made the Internet such a valuable and popular resource, but it places a large burden on the judgement and responsibility of its users. This is true both with respect to evaluating the information acquired from the Internet and also applies to information disseminated to others by the user.

Users should fully understand that Local Access cannot monitor or verify the accuracy of the information available on the Internet in any practical way. Because of this, users must exercise their best judgement when deciding whether to rely on information obtained from the Internet. The source should be carefully considered since anyone can post information on the Internet, whether it is true or not. In addition, some material available on the Internet is sexually explicit or may be otherwise offensive to some people. Since Local Access does not and cannot monitor the Internet and will not try to do so, all responsibility for any harm resulting from inaccurate or offensive material acquired from the Internet rests with the user. Subscribers must accept all responsibility for any such possible injury not only for themselves but for all others, including children who use their account to access the Internet.

When disseminating information over the Internet, subscribers need to realize that Local Access cannot monitor or verify the information their users create or distribute. Local Access is not your editor or your publisher and will not warrant or vouch for the accuracy or legality of information you choose to pass on to others. Users are cautioned to be aware that they have the same potential for liability as authors, producers and broadcasters have historically had. Potential damage could be caused to others by copyright infringement, defamation or in other ways. By offering information on the Internet, you are reaching millions of people, so the responsibility should not be taken lightly. You are potentially liable whether your actions are deliberate or accidental.

Even though Local Access does not monitor the Internet or the activities of its subscribers and will not do so unless required by statute, court order, or other request from authorities, it is possible that others could intercept information you may be transmitting or receiving. Users are advised to assume that any transmission is NOT secure. Just as has always been the case with postal mail, FAX and telephone, your communications could be intercepted. The risk of this is not any greater or less than with these other media, however you need to be aware of the possibility. Because there is no practical way to prevent this, Local Access accepts no responsibility for the security of its users' communications.

The following activities are violations of the Local Access Acceptable Use Policy. Some are also illegal and may carry federal or state criminal penalties and possible civil penalties:

Giving your Local Access Password to Others

Revealing your Local Access password to others outside your household for purposes of allowing them to use the Internet without paying for it is theft of service. This also compromises your own privacy by enabling others to access your email since the same password is generally used both for logging in and for checking mail.

Simultaneous, Multiple Logins on the same Account

You are permitted to log in to your Local Access account from only one computer at a time. You may install the Internet software on more than one computer, but if you need to be connected to the Internet with more than one computer at the same time you will need more than one account.

Hacking

Unauthorized or illegal accessing of computers or networks, whether or not damage is caused. A large group of activities falls into this category which is commonly known as "Hacking".

Distribution of Viruses

Deliberate distribution of Computer Viruses or other destructive software technologies such as Worms, Trojan Horses or E-Mail bombs

E-Mail Spamming

Unsolicited, mass emailing or posting to Usenet newsgroups, usually for commercial purposes is a greatly controversial and discouraged practice throughout the Internet, both by users and ISP's. Large quantities of unwanted email and Usenet News postings are wasteful of Internet resources and an invasion of the privacy of other users. In addition they can potentially disrupt email and other services provided by Local Access or other ISP's due to causing loads in excess of those for which their systems were designed.

Copyright and Other Intellectual Property Rights Violations

Unauthorized copying and distribution of copyrighted materials regardless of the media - ( including but not limited to: text & images whether downloaded from the Internet or scanned from a magazine or other publication , music & other sound files whether downloaded or recorded from a record, tape or CD, video regardless of its source, software whether dowloaded or otherwise copied ) or any other intellectual property using your Local Access account. This includes displaying of graphics or text on your own web page without the express permission of the party who created them.

The general rule is: If you didn't create it yourself, or the person(s) who created it has not specifically given permission to use it, don't display or distribute it in any way even if you give them credit for it

It is usually OK to place a link to someone else's page, but actually using their materials on your page is a violation of copyright.

Harassment

Harassment of others by email or any other method using the Internet.

Distribution of Export Controlled Software

Certain encryption software is restricted for export by the US government. You are not permitted to distribute this software to others who live outside the United States.

Defamation

Defamation or false statements about others can result in lawsuits against either the person making the statement or against the ISP who provides you with Internet access

Obscenity

Distribution of obscene speech, images or other materials

Conclusion

Local Access wishes all users to enjoy the Internet to its utmost and this policy is not intended to frighten users. In most cases, good common sense, moral behavior will result in compliance with the policy. A set of informal guidelines for courteous Internet behavior, known as RFC 1855 or "Netiquette" has been drafted by a group of experienced Internet users. Those interested in learning more about how to become good Internet citizens should consider RFC 1855 for further reading.

Enjoy your Internet experience, but enjoy it responsibly and safely

Send questions or comments to webmaster@localaccess.com

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