Acceptable Use Policy

This Acceptable Use Policy governs the use of computers and servers on the StormNet Internet Relay Chat Network, including but not limited to, its chat forums, web pages, and e-mail services. As a user of these resources, you are responsible for reading and understanding this document. This document protects the users of StormNet, computing hardware and networks, and system administrators.

Connection to the StormNet IRC network is a privilege, not a right. StormNet reserves the right to deny access to its network without advanced warning and without being under any obligation to provide a reason. Where a reason is provided, it is done so at the discretion of StormNet.

By connecting to this network, you agree that you are connecting to a private network. Your privilege of use is revokable at any time for any reason. Further you accept that you have no claim to any data maintained by StormNet that you have used.

StormNet does not control/monitor the content transmitted via its services and, as such, does not guarantee the accuracy, integrity or quality of such content. You understand that by using StormNet, you may be exposed to content that is offensive, indecent or objectionable. Under no circumstances will StormNet be liable in any way for any content, including, but not limited to, for any errors or omissions in any content, or for any loss or damage of any kind incurred as a result of the use of any content posted, emailed, transmitted or otherwise made available via StormNet.

The formation, construction, and performance of the AUP will be construed in accordance with the laws of Canada. If any provision of the AUP is held invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of the AUP will nevertheless remain in full force and effect. If any provision is held invalid or unenforceable with respect to particular circumstances, it will nevertheless remain in full force and effect in all other circumstances.

Rights and Responsibilities
This network can provide access to resources locally, as well as the ability to communicate with other users worldwide. Such open access is a privilege and requires that individual users act responsibly. Users must respect the rights of other users, respect the integrity of the systems and related physical resources, and observe all relevant laws, regulations, and contractual obligations. Since electronic information is volatile and easily reproduced, users must exercise care in acknowledging and respecting the work of others through strict adherence to software licensing agreements and copyright laws. StormNet will openly and fully cooperate with any duly authorized law enforcement agency in their efforts to enforce their laws.

By using StormNet, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless StormNet, its resource providers, officers, operators, administrators, and other agents from any and all claims, costs, expenses, judgments, causes of action, barrister/solicitor/lawyer/attorney fees, litigation and court costs, resulting from the subscriber's use of StormNet services in any manner, whether directly or indirectly or by any act or omission.

You are solely responsible for the knowledge of and adherence to any and all laws, statutes, rules and regulations pertaining to (1) your use of any StormNet service, (2) the communications means by which you connect your terminal, personal computer or other device to StormNet services or to any service provided to and by StormNet, and (3) the local StormNet server you connect to as stated or referenced to in its Message of the Day (/motd).

Your rights herein granted cannot be transferred, assigned, shared, sold, or used by anyone other than yourself.

StormNet has the right to delete ALL data files, or other information that is stored in any database operated by a StormNet officer or under the auspices of StormNet once your nick/channel's registration has been terminated, by either you or StormNet.

No warranty is made by StormNet regarding any information, services or products provided through, in connection with, or located on the computer systems owned by, or operated under the auspices of, StormNet or any other services provided by StormNet. StormNet hereby expressly disclaims any and all warranties, including without limitation (i) any warranties as to the availability, accuracy, or content of information, products, or services; and, (ii) any warranties of merchantabilitiy or fitness for a particular purpose.

StormNet shall have no liability for damages caused or allegedly caused by any failure of performance, error, omission, interruption, electrical surge or damage or interference, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, communication line failure.

No agent, officer, or representative of StormNet has any authority to bind StormNet to any affirmation, representation, or warranty concerning the services provided by StormNet.

Enforcement
Minor infractions of this policy, when accidental, such as connecting multiple clients, or flooding, are generally resolved informally by a network operator and may result in temporary removal from the network (/kill) or dealt with through electronic mail or on-line discussion and education.

Repeated minor infractions or misconduct which is more serious may result in the temporary or permanent loss of network access privileges (autokill/G-Line) or the modification of those privileges. More serious violations include, but are not limited to unauthorized use of nickserv/chanserv accounts, attempts to steal passwords or data, repeated harassment, or threatening behavior. In addition the offender's service provider will most likely be informed.

Harassment, as mentioned above, shall include, but is not limited to, the following:

• Repeated unwanted communication to a user beyond that user's reasonably expected ability to deal with the situation (e.g. /ignore & /silence).

• The use of network resources to publicly (viewable from outside a channel; e.g. in a /topic) antagonize, defame, or demean any person.

• Transmitting, without consent, a person's private/privileged identification and/or financial information. Examples being: Real Name, Phone Number, Address, Social Insurance/Security Number, Bank Accounts Numbers, Credit Card Numbers, etc ...
  [Note: Channels structured to facilitate harassment as detailed above are subject to closure.]

Upon receiving an autokill or a "G-line", the user is on notice that they are no longer authorized to access StormNet's systems. Any attempt to circumvent the restriction will be considered trespass and subject to civil prosecution. The user is instructed to contact abuse@thestormnet.com via e-mail to facilitate the removal of the restriction and to once again be authorized to use the system.

Conduct Which Violates this Policy
Definition: An "account" with regard to any of StormNet's services (Nickserv, Chanserv, MemoServ etc) is the data within said services that is designated for a specific user based upon their selected nickname and/or channel. Access to an "account" is derived by appearing with a recognizable user address and/or supplying an appropriate password. Upon creating an account, the user assumes full responsibility for the confidentiality of your account/password. You are responsible for all uses of your account, whether or not actually or expressly authorized by you.

Conduct which violates this policy includes, but is not limited to, the activities in the following list.

• Unauthorized access of a nickserv/chanserv account.

• Using StormNet to gain unauthorized access to any computer systems.

• Connecting unauthorized servers to the network.

• Unauthorized attempts to circumvent data protection schemes or uncover security loopholes. This includes creating and/or running programs that are designed to identify security loopholes and/or decrypt intentionally secure data.

• Knowingly or carelessly performing an act that will interfere with the normal operations of computers, servers, or processes on StormNet.

• Knowingly or carelessly running any program that may damage or place excessive load on a server or the network. This includes, but is not limited to, mass-invites, mass-messages, and programs known as floodbots and clonebots.

• Connecting an automated client (bot, fserv, etc..) to a StormNet server without prior authorization by that server's administration.

• Using StormNet resources for commercial activity, such as advertising or selling a product, for the purpose of financial gain, without prior approval of the StormNet administration.

• Forging the identity of a user or machine in an electronic communication. This includes impersonating an IRC Operator or a Services Bot.

• Displaying obscene, lewd, or sexually harassing images or text on a public channel without the prior consent of that channel's operators.

• Intentionally repeating or transmitting material in a rapid manner producing the affect of harassing a user by "flooding" them.

• Attempting to monitor or tamper with another user's electronic communications, or reading, copying, changing, or deleting any part of another user's nickserv/chanserv/memoserv account without the explicit agreement of the owner.

• Advertising a commercial website, service, product or other IRC network ("spamming") via private messaging, Memoserv, channel messaging, or the /quit message.

Further Information
For further information on anything contained in this document, please contact studded@thestormnet.com