
1.0. In General.
UTMA, a cooperative organized and existing under the laws of the State of North Dakota and having a principal place of business at 411 7th Avenue, Langdon, North Dakota 58249, (Access Provider) will provide you access to the Internet, Digital Subscriber Line services (DSL), Wireless Broadband services, and/or other services to the best of Access Provider's ability. Accounts are for our direct customer's use only and are not for resale. We reserve the right to terminate any account for any reason. BY COMPLETING THE ENROLLMENT PROCESS AND USING ACCESS PROVIDER'S SERVICES YOU HAVE AGREED TO BE LEGALLY BOUND TO ABIDE BY THE TERMS OF THIS SERVICE AGREEMENT WHETHER OR NOT YOU HAVE PERSONALLY READ AND/OR SIGNED EACH DOCUMENT. Access Provider is a computer online, interactive information, communication and transaction service provider. The services provided by Access Provider (the Services) are available to an authorized customer (Customer, Customers or you) through a customer account; it is accessible through a personal computer and a communications device (e.g., Modem, telephone line).
1.1. Please read this document carefully. This document governs the responsibilities of the Customer in his or her interaction with Access Provider and the Internet.
1.2. If you do not wish to be bound by these documents then you are not permitted to continue to use the Services. If this is the case, then you must immediately terminate your customer account and are forbidden from using the Services.
1.3. Access Provider reserves the right to modify this Service Agreement at any time and in any manner. Any modification is effective immediately upon either a posting on the Access Provider's Home Page, or by sending notice of modification to you via electronic mail or conventional mail. If any modification of this Service Agreement is unacceptable to you, you may immediately terminate your customer account as provided in Section 7 below. Your continued use of the Services following a modification of the Service Agreement shall be conclusively deemed as acceptance of such modification.
1.4. Customer acknowledges that he has been informed of the terms of this Service Agreement. This document is also available to read on-line or for downloading and review at Customer's convenience or through mail upon request.
1.5. This Service Agreement constitutes the entire and ONLY agreement between Access Provider and Customer with respect to the Services. Access Provider reserves the right to alter any aspect of the Services including, but not limited to, (1) restricting the time available per Customer; (2) restricting the availability and/or scope of the Services for certain platforms (i.e. computer types and operating systems); (3) restricting the amount of use permitted; (4) restricting the information available to Customers (e.g. news groups, BBS groups; and (5) restricting or terminating any Customer's right to use the Services in Access Provider's sole discretion and without prior notice of liability. Access Provider also reserves the right to change or add any fees or surcharges at any time effective upon thirty (30) days' prior notice.
2.0. Customer Responsibility.
2.1. Connect Charges. Customer is responsible for all charges (e.g., telephone fees ) associated with connecting to the Services.
2.2. Equipment. Customer is responsible for obtaining or providing all telephone access lines, telephone and computer equipment (including modem), or other access device, necessary to access the Services.
2.3. Registration. Customer certifies that he or she is either a corporation, partnership or limited liability company authorized by Access Provider to be a customer of the system, or an individual either above age eighteen (18) or a minor whose parent or legal guardian has consented to allow you to become a Customer. A minor's parent or legal guardian has authorized the minor's use on Customer's account under adult supervision and with the assumption of liabilities resulting from minor's use. Access Provider may, at its discretion, enter into a special billing arrangement with employers or other entities. Customer agrees to provide Access Provider with accurate, complete and updated information required by the registration process contained in this Service Agreement, including Customer's legal name, address, telephone number(s) and applicable payment date (i.e., credit card number, expiration date, checking account information). Customer agrees to notify Access Provider within thirty (30) days of any changes in Customer registration data. Failure to comply with this provision will result in immediate suspension or termination of the Customer's use of the Services.
2.4. Accounts/Charges/Payments.
2.5. On-Line Conduct. Any conduct by a Customer that in Access Provider's sole discretion restricts or inhibits any other Customer from using or enjoying the Services will not be permitted. Customer agrees to use the Services solely for lawful purposes. Customer is prohibited from posting on or transmitting through the Services any unlawful, harmful, threatening, abusive, harassing, defamatory, vulgar, obscene, profane, hateful, racially ethnically or otherwise objectionable material of any kind, including but not limited to any material which encourages conduct that would constitute a criminal offense, give rise to civil liability, or otherwise violate any applicable local, state, national or international law. Access Provider reserves the right to suspend or terminate any Customer whose actions are in violations of acceptable on-line conduct, the determination of which resides in Access Provider's sole discretion.
2.6. Content.
2.7. Third-Party Consent. Access Provider is a distributor (and not a publisher) of Content supplied by third parties and Customers. Accordingly, Access Provider has no more editorial control over such Content than does a public library, bookstore or newsstand. Any opinions, advice statements, services, offers or other information or Content expressed or made available by third parties, including Information Providers, Merchants, Customers or any other user of the Services, are those of the respective author(s) or distributor(s) and not of Access Provider. Neither Access Provider nor any third party provider of information guarantees the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any Content nor its merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Section 5 below contains the complete provisions governing the limitation of liabilities and disclaimers of warranty. In many instances, the Content available through the Services represents the opinions and judgments of the respective Information Provider, Customer, or other user not under contract with Access Provider. Access Provider neither endorses nor is responsible for the accuracy or reliability of any opinion, advice or statement made on the Services by anyone other than authorized Access Provider employee spokespersons while acting in their official capacities. Under no circumstances will Access Provider by liable for any loss or damage caused by Customer's reliance on information obtained through the Services. It is the responsibility of Customer to evaluate the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information, opinion, advice or other Content available through the Services. Please seek the advice of professionals, as appropriate, regarding the evaluation of any specific information, opinion, advice, or other Content.
2.8. Retention of Files. Customer is responsible for retention of all files, information, data and other materials as may be necessary for reconstruction of any files, information material or messages lost or misplaced by Access Provider.
2.9. Compliance with Applicable Laws. Customer hereby acknowledges that the Internet is governed by applicable state, federal and international laws, that such laws are currently evolving and may well continue to evolve for some time to come. Customer understands and agrees that it is the Customer's SOLE responsibility to educate himself as to the applicable laws and to govern his actions accordingly. Notwithstanding the above, Customer agrees to conform his conduct to all applicable state, federal and international laws and the NSFNET policy will be grounds for termination of his or her account with Access Provider.
3.0. Third-Party Sales and Services.
Customer may order and purchase merchandise or services from other Customers and users of the Services who are not affiliated with Access Provider. All transactions concerning third-party (Merchant) goods or services, including, but not limited to, purchase terms, payment terms, warranties, guarantees, maintenance and delivery, are solely between Merchant and Customer. Access Provider makes no warranties or representations whatsoever with regard to any good or service provided by and Merchant. Access Provider shall not be a party to any transaction between Customer and Merchants, or be liable for any cost or damage arising either directly or indirectly from any action or inaction of any Merchant.
4.0. Access Provider's Rights.
4.1. Access Provider may elect to monitor electronically any and all traffic which utilizes the Services. This monitoring may include public as well as private communications and data transfers from our Customers and to our Customers as well as any and all communications and data transfers to and from any other Internet sites. Access Provider will monitor our Customers and those who use or transmit communications or other data over the Services to try and ensure adherence to international, federal, state and local laws as well as this Service Agreement. Furthermore, Access Provider shall also monitor and disclose any Content, records or electronic communication of any kind (1) to satisfy any law, regulation or authorized governmental request; (2) if such disclosure is necessary to operate the Services; or (3) to protect the rights or property of Access Provider, its Customers, or Information Providers or Merchants. The monitoring and disclosure activities of Access Provider may negate the privacy protections which the Customer would otherwise enjoy under federal and state law, including the Electronic Privacy Communications Act. Customer specifically agrees that Access Provider may do so and Customer understands that he or she is giving up privacy rights which he or she would otherwise be entitled to under state law.
4.2. Access Provider reserves the right to prohibit conduct, communications or Content which it deems in its sole discretion, to be harmful to individual Customers, the Access Provider's or other third parties' rights or to violate applicable law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither Access Provider nor its Information Providers have the practical ability to restrict conduct, communication or Content which might violate its Service Agreement prior to transmission on the Services, nor can they ensure prompt editing or removal of questionable Content after on-line posting. Accordingly, neither Access Provider nor any Information Provider shall assume liability for any action or inaction with respect to conduct, communication or Content on the Services.
4.3. Access Provider may monitor or disclose any private electronic communication where permitted or required by law or necessary to protect the rights and interest of Access Provider as discussed in Section 4.1 hereof. Access Provider may terminate immediately without notice any Customer who misuses or fails to abide by this Service Agreement, including without limitations, misuse of the software libraries, discussion boars, e-mail or conference areas.
4.4. Access Provider reserves the rights to distribute to Merchants or third parties certain general information about its Customers such as the Customer's name and mailing address unless the Customer specifically elects to keep such information confidential. In order to do so, Customer must select the "Do Not Distribute Information to Merchants or Third Parties" box at the end of this Service Agreement. Access Provider will not distribute specific billing information (i.e., credit card information and/or checking account numbers).
5.0. Limitation of Liability and disclaimer of Warranty.
5.1. CUSTOMER EXPRESSLY AGREES THAT USE OF THE SERVICES IS AT CUSTOMER'S SOLE RISK. NEITHER ACCESS PROVIDER, ITS EMPLOYEES, AFFILIATES, AGENTS, THIRD-PARTY INFORMATION PROVIDERS, MERCHANTS, LICENSORS OR THE LIKE WARRANT THAT THE SERVICES WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED OR ERROR FREE; NOR DO THEY MAKE ANY WARRANTY AS TO THE RESULTS THAT MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE USE OF THE SERVICES OR AS TO THE ACCURACY, RELIABILITY OR CONTENT OF ANY INFORMATION, SERVICE OR MERCHANDISE PROVIDED THROUGH THE SERVICES. WHILE ACCESS PROVIDER IS DEDICATED TO PROVIDE LOCAL DIAL-UP SERVICES IN ITS SERVICE AREA, NEITHER ACCESS PROVIDER NOR ANY OF ITS INDEPENDENT NETWORK SERVICE PROVIDERS MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, THAT ANY AVAILABLE ACCESS NUMBER WILL BE A LOCAL CALL FROM YOUR AREA CODE AND EXCHANGE.
5.2. THE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED AS AN "AS IS," "AS AVAILABLE" BASIS WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF TITLE OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OTHER THAN THOSE WARRANTIES THAT ARE IMPLIED BY AND INCAPABLE OF EXCLUSION, RESTRICTION OR MODIFICATION UNDER THE LAWS APPLICABLE TO THIS AGREEMENT. NO ORAL ADVICE OR WRITTEN INFORMATION GIVEN BY ACCESS PROVIDER, ITS EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, THIRD-PARTY INFORMATION PROVIDERS, MERCHANTS, LICENSORS OR THE LIKE SHALL CREATE A WARRANTY, NOR SHALL CUSTOMER RELY ON ANY SUCH INFORMATION OR ADVICE
5.3. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES, INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE, SHALL ACCESS PROVIDER OR ANYONE ELSE INVOLVED IN CREATING, PRODUCING OR DISTRIBUTING THE SERVICE BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES THAT RESULT FROM THE USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THE SERVICE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO RELIANCE BY A CUSTOMER ON ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED ON THE SERVICES, OR THAT RESULT FROM ANY MISTAKES, OMISSIONS, INTERRUPTIONS, DELETION OF FILES OR E-MAIL, ERRORS, DEFECTS, VIRUSES, DELAYS IN OPERATION, OR TRANSMISSION, OR ANY FAILURE OF PERFORMANCE, WHETHER OR NOT LIMITED TO ACTS OF GOD, COMMUNICATIONS FAILURE, THEFT, DESTRUCTION OR UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS TO ACCESS PROVIDER'S RECORDS, PROGRAMS OR SERVICES. CUSTOMER HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THIS PARAGRAPH 5.3 SHALL APPLY TO ALL CONTENT, MERCHANDISE OR SERVICES AVAILABLE THROUGH THE SERVICES. BECAUSE SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OF OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, IN SUCH STATES ACCESS PROVIDER'S LIABILITY IS LIMITED TO THE GREATEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.
5.4. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the total liability of Access Provider or its employees, affiliates, agents, third-party Information Providers, Merchants or Licensors, for all damages, losses and causes of action whether in contract, tort, including negligence, or otherwise, either jointly or severally, exceed the aggregate amount paid by Customer to Access Provider in the twelve (12) months prior to the claimed injury or damage. The foregoing provisions of this Section 5 are for the benefit of Access Provider, its employees, directors, affiliates, agents, Information Providers, Merchants and Licensors, and each shall have the right to assert and enforce these provisions directly on their own behalf.
6.0. Indemnification.
6.1. Upon request of Access Provider, Customer agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless Access Provider and its officers, directors, employees, agents, third-party Information Providers, Merchants and Licensors, from any claims and expenses, including but not limited to, reasonable attorney's fees, related to any violation of this Service Agreement by use of Customer's Master Account(s), disclosure by Customer of his or her password(s) to another, or in connection with the placement or transmission by or through Customer of any Content on the Services and the services of its third-party Information Providers, Merchants and Licensors.
7.0. Termination.
7.1. Either customer or Access Provider may terminate Customer at any time and for any reason. Customer's only right with respect to any dissatisfaction with either (1) the terms of this Service Agreement, policy guidelines or practices of Access Provider in operating the Services; (2) content available through the Services or changes therein; or (3) changes in the amount or type of fees charged in connection with the Services, is to terminate Customer by delivering notice to Access Provider effective the day Access Provider receives notification of termination or such specified future that may be acceptable to Access Provider. In the event that Customer's account is terminated or canceled, any on-line time credited to Customer's Master Account(s) is not convertible to cash or any other form of credit.
7.2. Access Provider may terminate Customer, or suspend any individual Customer's access to all or part of the Services, without notice, for any conduct that Access Provider, in its sole discretion, believes violates this Service Agreement, interferes with another Customer's enjoyment of the Services, or is otherwise harmful to another customer, third-party Information Provider, Merchant, Licensor, service provider or Access Provider's interests.
7.3. Termination of Customer automatically terminates service to all other users or sub-accounts under Customer's Master Account(s). Upon termination of Customer, Customer shall have no right to (1) access any stored Content on the Services and any such Content will be forfeited; (2) any user time, game or other credit(s) and such credit(s) will be forfeited; (3) third-party merchandise or services and Access Provider shall have no responsibility to notify any third-party Merchants, nor for any consequences resulting from lack of notification. Termination or suspension by Access Provider automatically terminates or suspends, as the case may be, Customer's license to use the Services. In the case of termination, Customer remains bound by Sections 2, 5, 6 and 8 herein.
8.0. Miscellaneous.
8.1. In the event that any portion of this Service Agreement is held to be unenforceable, the invalid or unenforceable portion shall be construed in accordance with applicable law as nearly as possible to reflect the original intentions of the parties, and the remainder of this Service Agreement shall remain in full for and effect. The paragraph headings herein are provided only for reference and shall have no effect on the construction or interpretation of this Service Agreement.
8.2. The failure to insist upon or enforce strict performance by the other party of any provision of this Service Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of any provision or right. Neither the course of conduct between parties nor trade practice shall act to modify any provision of this Service Agreement.
8.3. This Service Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of North Dakota, except with regard to its conflicts of law rules. Each party irrevocably consents to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of North Dakota and the federal courts situated in the State of North Dakota in connection with any action arising under this Service Agreement or relating to the Services. Any cause of action of Customer or its authorized user(s) with respect to the Services must be commenced within one (1) year after the claim or cause of action arose or said cause of action shall be barred.