The intent of this document is to set
official policy on what is and is not acceptable use of the HWCN
system by its members. Your comments are welcomed.
Approved: Board Of Directors
Date: June 17, 1996
Revised: November 1997
Applicable to: All HWCN Members
Violation/unacceptable use of the System by HWCN members will result
in disciplinary action up to and including revocation of membership.
Definition:
All users are expected to behave responsibly and with consideration
for other users at all times. The Acceptable Use Policy clarifies
what the Board of Directors deems reasonable use of the CommunityNet
system:
-
Use of Hamilton-Wentworth CommunityNet to gain unauthorized
access to the CommunityNet system or to gain unauthorized access
to other systems is prohibited.
- Accounts are for the use of the registered member only.
-
Sending unsolicited e-mail and/or posting inappropriately
to newsgroups (spamming) is not acceptable. (i.e. Do not send
junk mail, solicitations, chain letters, or cross-post excessively
to
multiple newsgroups!)
- Information shall be provided in a non-intrusive manner.
- Businesses may make use of the CommunityNet as a way
to locate themselves on the Internet. Businesses are encouraged
to mount information of interest to the public about themselves
and their industry.
-
Direct paid or broadcast advertising or information containing
only catalogue listings and pricing are not acceptable uses.
-
Non-profit organizations may provide information as to membership
fees, publications, and entrance fees.
-
The CommunityNet reserves the right to either levy extra fees
or disable (but not delete or modify) pages where the demand
for that page impacts the CommunityNet Systems ability to handle
the systems regular workload.
- A specific contact person must be identified as being responsible
for information by the business in order for the account to be
opened.
-
Any use of the CommunityNet for unlawful purposes is prohibited.
- In accordance with the Canadian Copyright Act, copying of any
data or information from the CommunityNet (other than that which
is directed to a specific person or group of persons, i.e. e-mail,
conferences), without permission of the originator is prohibited.
The provider may indicate this permission within its information.
Complaints Procedure:
Where users of the Hamilton-Wentworth CommunityNet have questions
or complaints relating to The Acceptable Use Policy, the Hamilton-Wentworth
CommunityNet shall provide a means for arbitration.
- HWCN members may forward complaints of violations of the Acceptable
Use Policy and/or Acceptable Information to the Executive Director.
- Complaints against HWCN members may also be received from users
or Administrators of other systems.
First Complaint:
-
The HWCN user will be contacted by the Executive Director who
will indicate that a complaint has been received over an action
of the member.
-
The HWCN member will be asked to explain his/her activity related
to the complaint.
-
If the explanation is not accepted by the Executive Director
the member will be informed that he/she has violated the HWCN
Acceptable Use Policy.
-
The HWCN member will be informed that his/her account will
be suspended until he/she signs a statement indicating that
he/she has read the HWCN Acceptable Use Policy, and understands
the consequences of a repeat occurrence.
Second Complaint:
A second violation of the HWCN User Agreement Policy by a member
may result in the revocation of membership privileges and/or termination
of the account.
Legal Liability
Under the circumstance where information/action of a HWCN member
exposes The Hamilton-Wentworth Community Network to legal liability
the Executive Director shall review the offending information and
may immediately remove (but not modify) the information on the System.
Appeal Process
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