RAIN Acceptable Use Policy

Introduction

These terms and conditions form the basis of the Regional Alliance for Information Networking (RAIN) Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) for its subscribers. Violation of this policy may result in suspension or cancellation of RAIN services.

RAIN is committed to free speech on the internet. RAIN does not actively monitor users' connections or exercise editortial control over member subscriber web sites. However, RAIN reserved the right to remove any materials that RAIN becomes aware of that are, at RAIN's sole discretion, potentially illegal, could subject RAIN to liability, or violate this policy.

Terms for All Accounts

  1. You may only stay connected to RAIN while you are active using RAIN's services. RAIN doesn't meter usage of shared resources such as dial-in modem lines. However, you agree by subscribing to RAIN's services to not use shared resources to such a degree as adversely affects the availability of the network for other subscribers. Unless dedicated line services are purchased, user accounts are not intended to provide a semi-permanent modem connection; if you need such, please contact our office and we can set something up for you.

  2. RAIN reserves the right to, at its sole discretion, automatically disconnect sessions with no activity for a prolonged period of time. You may not run programs that defeat this "idle" timeout.

  3. You may only use the disk space allocated to your account (that is, you may only store files in your home directory). RAIN reserves the right to remove any user files that are consuming disk space in public file system areas.

  4. You may not use RAIN's services for illegal purposes or in support of illegal activities. RAIN reserves the right to cooperate with legal authorities and/or injured third parties in the investigation of any suspected crime or civil wrong. Activities which are prohibited as potentially illegal include, but are not limited to:

    • Exporting software or technical information in violation of US export control laws.

    • Transmitting any copyrighted material in violation of US Federal, US State, or foreign law. This includes, but is not limited to, copyrighted software, material legally judged to be obscene, or material protected by trade secrets.
    • Posting or e-mailing of scams such as `make-money-fast' schemes (Ponzi schemes) or `pyramid/chain' letters.

    • Threatening bodily harm or property damage to individuals or groups.

    • Making fraudulent offers of products, items, or services originating from your account.

    • Attempting to access the accounts of others or attempting to penetrate the security measures of our or other systems (known as `hacking') whether or not the intrusion results in corruption or loss of data.

  • You may not harass others by `mail-bombing' or `news-bombing.' `Mail-bombing' is the practice of repeatedly sending a piece or pieces of mail to a single e-mail address over a short period of time, with the intent of filling the recipient's mailbox so as to make it unuseable. `News-bombing' is the practice of posting excessively large files to USENET newsgroups.

  • You may not share your account password with anyone. At no time can there be simultaneous use of your username and password to access RAIN's systems (whether it be via our dial-up modem pools or via telnet connections to our servers).

  • You may not forge message headers of any electronic transmission originating or passing through RAIN's network.

  • You may not use any software or device that allows your account to stay logged on while you are not actively using RAIN's services.

  • You may not cross-post advertisements for products, items, or services to large numbers of unrelated USENET newsgroups (also referred to as `Spamming'). Posting messages to groups not related to the subject of the message is also considered `spamming' and is not allowed.

  • You may not install `auto-responders,' `cancel-bots,' `bots,' or similar automated routines which generate excessive amounts of net traffic or disrupt newsgroups / IRC chat rooms / e-mail of others.

  • All account fees must be paid in advance of usage. RAIN reserves the right to susped or discontinue services at its sole discretion if payments are not made in a timely fashion.

  • You may not run any software which emulates a TCP/IP connection via shell access to RAIN's systems (e.g. `TIA' or `SlipKnot').

    Additional Terms for Individual, Student, and Family Accounts

    1. Individual, student, and family accounts are intended for personal, casual, non-transferable use only. You are not allowed to provide services for a business through this account type.

    RAIN Assumes No Liability

    RAIN has no practical ability to restrict the conduct, communications, or content which might violate this policy prior to its transmission to RAIN's network, nor can RAIN ensure prompt removal of any such communications or content after transmission or posting. Accordingly, RAIN does not assume liability to subscribers or others for any failuer to enforce the terms of this policy.

    RAIN will not be liable to you, beyond the refund of your current term's charges, for any direct, indirect, consequential, special or punitive damage(s) or loss(es) whatsoever you may incur in connection with the use of RAIN's system or of any of the data or other materials transmitted through or residing on RAIN's system, even if RAIN has been advised of the possibility of such damage or loss. This includes, but is not limited to, loss of data or any other loss whatsoever resulting from delays, non-deliveries, misdeliveries, or service interruptions of any nature whatsoever. In addition, you agree to defend and indemnify RAIN and hold RAIN harmless from and against any and all claims, proceedings, damages, injuries, liabilities, losses, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys fees) relating to any acts by you or materials or information transmitted by you or any use by you of RAIN's services which leads wholly or partially to claims against RAIN or RAIN's system by you, by another customer or by any other person or entity.

    No Warranty/Responsibility

    RAIN makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, as to the availability, accuracy, or content of the information, products, or services it provides. RAIN disclaims any warranty of merchantability of fitness for any particular purpose. Use of any information or data obtained via RAIN is at your own risk.

    RAIN bears no responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through its services.

    RAIN is not responsible for your telephone company charges.

    RAIN is not responsible for the prevention of access by minor to material on the Internet that may not be suitable for them. You have the sole responsibility for monitoring what is available to any minors who have access to the internet through your RAIN account.

    Revisions to this Policy

    RAIN reserves the right to modify this policy at any time. Notice of modifications to this policy may be given to subscribers by posting such changes to the RAIN Home Page (http://www.rain.org), by e-mail, or conventional mail.

    Please Click Here to go to our signup form.



    2.1.1. Exceeding 10MB of disk space for your email box. Any email box exceeding 10MB will have incoming mail bounced until the user removes email from the server.

    2.1.2. Exceeding 2MB of disk space for Free Web sites. Any Free Web site exceeding 2MB will be suspended, until the customer brings the disk usage under 2MB.

    2.1.3. Exceeding 1GB of traffic in a one month period for free Web sites. Any Free Web site exceeding 1 GB of traffic will be billed for the excess traffic (please refer to EarthLink's billing rates).

    Other Networks; Access and Cancellation at RAIN's Discretion.



    You agree to comply with the acceptable use policies, rules and regulations, and terms and conditions of any networks accessed by you through RAIN.

    RAIN reserves the right to refuse service to anyone. RAIN further reserves the right to deny access to, or close, any account(s) which, in RAIN's sole opinion, is (are) causing, or may cause, harm to the RAIN server or to other systems. RAIN will make a reasonable effort to notify any user of RAIN's action, but is not bound by this agreement to do so.

    Account Usage.

    When you sign this Agreement and pay the appropriate charge, you are entitled to an account. An individual account entitles only the named user to log in, and only using one of RAIN's modems at a time. Business accounts allow multiple individuals within an organization to access RAIN, but only one at a time and only on one modem or TCP/IP session.

    To open or close a RAIN account requires written notification by fax or U.S. Mail. (RAIN cannot process electronic mail or phone requests that are not accompanied by signed documentation.)

    Service is invoiced in advance of applicable term. Pre-Paid Accounts are non-refundable unless there is an inability to provide services. You agree to pay service charges until youraccount is cancelled by signed notification.

    You agree to pay a $10.00 administrative fee to re-instate your account if it is suspended for non-payment. You also agree to pay a $10.00 administrative fee for the second or subsequent change in userid which you request. You also agree to pay a $50.00 administrative fee for domain name changes which you request.

    If your check is returned to RAIN unpaid, you agree that you will pay a return check charge of $50.00.

    If you choose automatic payment by credit card, RAIN will process service charges, depending on actuation date. You agree that access to your account can be restricted if credit card processing fails for any reason.

    You agree that if your account is unpaid after fourteen (14) days of due date, RAIN may cancel your service. If you default, you agree to pay RAIN reasonable collection expenses, including attorney and collection agency fees.

    EACH PERSON WHO USES RAIN MUST HAVE A SEPARATE ACCOUNT



    Use of programs such as "screen", or, if you have a workstation, opening multiple windows is permitted. Our "no multiple login" restriction is intended to conserve modem lines and enforce the "one person, one account" paradigm, not crimp your preferred means of operation or prevent you from enjoying yourself while here.

    All accounts require a signed and dated subscription form which accurately gives all necessary information to contact the user. A correct address and phone number are required in case of problems in account processing. Post Office boxes are not acceptable addresses. If this information changes, the account user must inform rain of the new information as soon as possible.

    Sending offensive mail to other users or harassing other users through network resources such as 'talk' is prohibited.

    Improper use of the Internet is prohibited, such as sending "junk" email from accounts, or false posts with a malicious intent.

    Last Modified 01 Jan 2003