FMCTC Acceptable Use Policy
 
Introduction

PLEASE NOTE:  All FMCTC Customers should read this document.  All FMCTC Internet customers are responsible for the policy written here, and your account WILL BE DISABLED WITHOUT WARNING if you violate it.

FMCTC sets forth an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) with the intent of protection of our service, our customers, and other users of the Internet from potentially abusive actions taken by FMCTC customers. The following policy is non-exclusive; any action about which there is doubt should be referred to FMCTC for evaluation. FMCTC may alter this policy from time to time as need dictates.

Statement of Responsibility

  • Each FMCTC Internet account has a password that is the key to gain access to the account. The customer who registered the account is solely responsible for all access and actions taken concerning the account. It is the account owner’s responsibility to safeguard the account password and to ensure that FMCTC Acceptable Use Policies are honored. FMCTC will hold the account owner responsible for any violations of the AUP.
  • Sites directly attached to FMCTC are expected to adhere to the FMCTC Acceptable Use Policies. The individual who signed the contract is responsible for educating site users on acceptable use policies. Violations of the AUP by directly attached sites will be referred to the contract signer for resolution. The contract signer will be held responsible for any violations of the AUP.
  • FMCTC enforces these policies with respect to FMCTC customers only. We are not responsible for abusive actions that originate from other sites or networks on the Internet.

Acceptable Use: Network

Acceptable use of the FMCTC network facilities does NOT include:

  • Attempting to circumvent user authentication or security of any host, network, or account on FMCTC systems or the Internet at large ("cracking").
  • Use of FMCTC systems or networks (willfully or negligently) in a manner that encumbers disk space, processors, bandwidth, or other system resources so as to interfere with others’ normal use of services on FMCTC or other systems and networks ("denied of service" attack).
  • Activities which violate local, state, or federal statutes.

Acceptable Use: Domain Names

FMCTC provides domain name service for Dedicated Connection, Enhanced Showcase, and UUCP customers. Keeping registry information updated and accurate is the responsibility of the domain holder and not FMCTC. Acceptable use of the FMCTC domain name service does NOT include:

  • Falsifying or omitting valid domain contact information, including the administrative, technical, zone, and billing contracts.

Acceptable Use: Email

Acceptable use of Email does NOT include:

  • Sending unsolicited mass mailings of any nature, including those with a "negative option" for continuation. The negative option is inviting those who do not wish to receive more email to reply to you.
  • Sending a large number of email messages, or singularly large email messages, to a single address in order to flood someone’s mailbox.
  • Forging email headers to obscure the true originator of the message.
  • Creating or participating in pyramid schemes or chain letters.
  • Sending harassing email, either by language, size or frequency. This includes sending email (or real time) messages to a person who has asked explicitly that you do not.
  • Activities which violate local, state, or federal statutes.

Acceptable Use: Usenet

Acceptable use of FMCTC Usenet News service does NOT include:

  • Posting unsolicited messages to a large number of Usenet newsgroups by either cross posting or posting to individual groups ("spamming").
  • Attempting to cancel, supersede, or otherwise interfere with Usenet posts other than one’s own.
  • Blatant posting of articles which violates the named charter for specific newsgroups.
  • Publishing someone’s real-world data (such as telephone number, address, social security number, etc.) in such a way as to cause the person trouble or to incite others to do so.
  • Forging Usenet header information to obscure the true originator of the message.
  • Activities that violate local, state, or federal statues.

Acceptable Use: Dial-up Access

  • Dial-up connections to FMCTC that are idle for 30 minutes or longer, or connected for more than 24 hours continuously, will be disconnected. Idle time is defined as a period during which no input or output is sent or received across the modem connection.
  • Multiple simultaneous logins to a single FMCTC dial-up account are prohibited.
  • While our service is virtually unlimited, it is not a dedicated modem connection. Use of FMCTC dial-up service as a dedicated modem connection through use of redialers and idle-time traffic generators is prohibited.

Acceptable Use: Web/FTP Sites

Acceptable use of FMCTC web/FTP space does NOT include:

  • Distribution of pornographic or otherwise indecent or offending materials.
  • Distribution of restricted software or materials in violation of copyrights or distribution licenses.
  • Distribution of materials which violates local, state, or federal statutes.


FMCTC reserves the right to restrict or terminate service without refund in the event of an AUP violation. FMCTC also reserves the right to take action on abuse which is not specifically named in this AUP at the sole discretion of FMCTC. Use of the FMCTC systems and network constitutes understanding and agreement of this policy.

Reporting Abuse to FMCTC

FMCTC provides an email address for use in reporting abusive activities originating from FMCTC customers as outlined in the FMCTC Acceptable Use Policy. See below.  Please note, abuse origination from non- FMCTC customers cannot be handled by FMCTC. Report those instances to the provider/site who has authority over the abusive user.
  • When reporting email or Usenet abuse, include a FULL copy of the message, including headers. This information is required in order for any action to be taken.
  • When reporting other types of abuse, include details such as log files documenting the incident. FMCTC cannot act on your work alone; we must have documented proof of an incident.
  • Send your report in email to Support@fmctc.com. Due to the number of reports submitted pertaining to a single abuse incident, it is not always possible for FMCTC to respond to every report.

PLEASE NOTE: The action taken on abuse reports will be at the sole discretion of FMCTC. Our intent is NOT to be The Net Police, but to simply do our part to insure quality access and use of the Internet to all of our customers and to the Internet community at large.