Acceptable Use Policy
STC
(Version 1.0 - Last updated July 1, 2002)
  1. Scope. This Acceptable Use Policy (this "Policy") governs the usage of STC’s ("STC") products and services (the "Products & Services"). This Policy is incorporated by reference into each contract STC enters into with a customer (each, a "Customer") for the use of such Services. STC may modify this Policy at any time without notice. 
  2. Purpose. The purpose of this Policy is to enhance the quality of the Products & Services and to protect STC’s customers, and the Internet community as a whole, from illegal, irresponsible, or disruptive Internet activities. This Policy applies to each Customer and its employees, agents, contractors or other users of such Customer who obtain Products & Services from STC (each such person being a "User"). Each User should use common sense and good judgment in connection with the Products & Services. Parents or guardians should always supervise minors in using the Internet. Parents and guardians should remain aware at all times of what is on the Internet and how the minors under their care are using the Products & Services and the Internet.

  3. Prohibited Uses. Users may not:
    1. Utilize the Products & Services to send mass unsolicited e-mail to third parties.
    2. Utilize the Products & Services in connection with any illegal activity. Without limiting the general application of this rule, Users may not:
      1. Utilize the Products & Services to copy material from third parties (including text, graphics, music, videos or other copyrightable material) without proper authorization;

      2. Utilize the Products & Services to misappropriate or infringe the patents, copyrights, trademarks or other intellectual property rights of any third party;

      3. Utilize the Products & Services to traffic in illegal drugs, illegal gambling, obscene materials or other any products or Products & Services that are prohibited under applicable law; or

      4. Utilize the Products & Services in any manner that violates applicable law.

    3. Utilize the Products & Services in connection with any tortuous or actionable activity. Without limiting the general application of this rule, Users may not:
      1. Utilize the Products & Services to publish or disseminate information that (A) constitutes slander, libel or defamation, (B) publicizes the personal information or likeness of a person without that person’s consent or (C) otherwise violates the privacy rights of any person.
      2. Utilize the Products & Services to threaten persons with bodily harm, to make harassing or abusive statements or messages, or to solicit the performance of acts or Products & Services that are illegal under applicable law.

    4. Utilize the Products & Services in connection with any other disruptive or abusive activity. Without limiting the general application of this rule, Users may not:
      1. Utilize the Products & Services to cause denial of service attacks against STC or other network hosts or Internet users or to otherwise degrade or impair the operation of STC’s servers and facilities or the servers and facilities of other network hosts or Internet users;
      2. Post messages or software programs that consume excessive CPU time or storage space;
      3. Utilize the Products & Services to offer mail Products & Services, mail forwarding capabilities, POP accounts or auto responders;
      4. Utilize the Products & Services to resell access to CGI scripts installed on STC’s servers;
      5. Utilize the Products & Services to subvert, or assist others in subverting, the security or integrity of any STC systems, facilities or equipment;
      6. Utilize the Products & Services to gain unauthorized access to the computer networks of STC or any other person;
      7. Utilize the Products & Services to provide passwords or access codes to persons not authorized to receive such materials by the operator of the system requiring the password or access code;
      8. Utilize the Products & Services to (A) forge the signature or other identifying mark or code of any other person, (B) impersonate or assume the identity or any other person, or (C) engage in any other activity (including "spoofing") to attempt to deceive or mislead other persons regarding the true identity of the User (excluding the use of anonymous emailers or Internet nicknames);
      9. Utilize the Products & Services to distribute or post any virus, worm, Trojan horse, or computer code intended to disrupt Products & Services, destroy data, destroy or damage equipment, or disrupt the operation of the Products & Services;
      10. Utilize the Products & Services to conduct port scans or other invasive procedures against any server;
      11. Utilize the Products & Services to distribute, advertise or promote software or Products & Services that have the primary purpose of encouraging or facilitating unsolicited commercial e-mail or spam;
      12. Utilize the Products & Services to solicit or collect, or distribute, advertise or promote, e-mail address lists for the purpose of encouraging or facilitating unsolicited commercial e-mail or spam;
      13. Utilize the Products & Services in any manner that might subject STC to unfavorable regulatory action, subject STC to any liability for any reason, or adversely affect STC’s public image, reputation or goodwill, including, without limitation, sending or distributing sexually explicit, hateful, vulgar, racially, ethnically or otherwise objectionable materials as determined by STC in its sole discretion; or
      14. Utilize the Products & Services in any other manner to interrupt or interfere with the Internet usage of other persons.

  4. Violations
    1. Disclaimer. STC expressly disclaims any obligation to monitor its Customers and other Users with respect to violations of this Policy. STC has no liability or responsibility for the actions of any of its Customers or other Users or any content any User may post on any Web site.
    2. Reporting Non-Copyright Violations. STC encourages Users to report violations of this policy by e-mail to: abuse@STCtrade.com, including in any such report the name of the offending domain (for example, xyz.com) and the type of abuse (for example, spam, illegal acts, harassment, etc.) in the "subject" field of the e-mail.
    3. Reporting Copyright Violations. STC complies with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act ("DMCA"). STC encourages Users to report an alleged copyright infringement involving a user by sending a notice that complies with the DMCA to:

      Attention: DMCA Notices
      STC
      exec@STCtrade.com
    4. Remedies. If STC learns of a violation of this Policy, STC will respond to the applicable Customer and may, in STC’s sole discretion, take any of the following actions, in accordance with the severity and duration of the violation:
      1. Warning the Customer;
      2. Suspending the offending Customer from the Products & Services;
      3. Terminating the offending Customer from the Products & Services;
      4. Imposing fees or charges on the offending Customer account in accordance with the applicable service contract;
      5. Removing the offending content; and
      6. Taking other action in accordance with this Policy, the applicable service contract or applicable law.
  5. Reservation of Rights. STC reserves the right to cooperate with appropriate legal authorities in investigations of claims of illegal activity involving STC’s Products & Services, Customers and other Users. STC reserves all other rights to respond to violations of this Policy to the extent of applicable law and in accordance with any applicable contractual obligations.